You know, I ask people that a lot. "How's it going?" So I thought I would update my blog today and inform all two readers (lol!) how it's going on the Grove Family Homestead.
We planted green peppers, onions, two kinds of tomatoes, (can anyone say "salsa"?) and lots of flowers. I was bit by the gardening bug and I will not look back. I enjoy checking on all my plants and seeing the progress. I swear I can sometimes see the onions growing, they are coming up so fast! And my tomatoes already have blooms. I'm tempted to eat the leaves, I'm so eager for a taste of garden-fresh tomatoes!! I did lose one pepper plant when the dog decided to park her rump on it one day. :( Rest in peace, little pepper plant. I shall always remember you.
The summer days have been flying by at a jet-fast pace since I started my job. I'm enjoying the work and I'm very thankful our whole family has been getting in step with our new schedule. I work for 2 to 3 days a week, and usually the kids are alone for just one day a week. I'm glad the manager was willing to schedule me on the days that Kyle is home, for the most part. The work itself is very hard, but very rewarding. I'm in housekeeping now, so I am responsible for lots of cleaning, some laundry and serving two meals per shift. Soon I hope to be training in as a Home Health Aide, and then I'll be working more directly with the residents. I'm also getting to help fill-in for the Activities Director, which means that basically I get paid to go to work to play games and do activities with the residents! When Kyle and Things 1 and 2 are gone in July I will be filling in while the Activities Director is on vacation - and I'll get to bring Things 3,4 and 5 with me to work! The kids have been helping with games and activities for a couple weeks now, and they love it. Our whole family has been volunteering some of our time as well. We put together a patriotic presentation for Flag Day and the residents loved it.
On a sad note, two years ago today my dear Mother passed away. I still miss her very much.
On a happy note, I got to see my darling niece Cherith last week when a friend graciously asked me to ride along with her when she went to the cities. And I have great news! Cherith will be coming home soon. Her progress has been so wonderful, we are thanking and praising God for how far she has come.
Well, I'm off to run some errands, head to Wal-Mart (Can I get an "Amen!"?) and then drop Things 1&2 off with Kyle so they can head to a CAP activity in Western ND tonight and tomorrow. I'll have to think of some fun stuff to keep Things 3,4&5 busy while they are gone.
I hope things are going well for you and yours!!
Elizabeth Ann
Friday, June 26, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Don't Mess With A Mama Bear
Last Thursday something happened that caused us to have some of the worst stress we have ever experienced. It was one of those days that seems like it was a long time ago, even though it was just last week. Let me 'splain.
I was on my way to Fargo in the morning with Pickles for an appointment when Peaches called me in a panic on my cell phone and said, "MOM - there is a policeman at the door and he asked to talk to Peanut! He's outside asking her questions right now!!" I told her to give the phone to the policeman and asked him what was going on. He proceeded to tell me that there was a claim of abuse against me towards Peanut and that I needed to come to the police station for questioning. Just writing about this is making me feel sick again. I asked him if he could give me any more information, but he would not tell me anything further on the phone.
At this point my arms were going numb and I told the officer that I was on my way into Fargo for an appointment but that I would immediately turn around and come home. He told me that wasn't necessary - but I knew there was no way I could keep driving and continue on with my day with such an accusation bouncing around my brain. After I hung up with the policeman I immediately called Kyle and told him what was going on, and he decided to come home from work. I was very relieved as I knew I needed his support and leadership to face this.
I tried to reach our Pastor but his cell phone connection was cutting out, so I spoke with our Assistant Pastor and told him what was going on. I can't remember a word he said, I was very stressed and crying by this time, but I do remember he gave me some good advice. After I spoke with him (I was home by this time) I called Home School Legal Defense and they said because this situation was likely not a homeschooling issue, that they could not get involved. So then I called Christian Law Association and spoke with a Paralegal. He (or was it a she?) told me to go ahead and go to the police station to see what was going on, but that if I became the least bit uncomfortable with any of the questions that I was to stop answering and tell the officer I wanted a lawyer. Yikes. Yikes and a half! It was beginning to dawn on me that I really had no clue what we could possibly be facing - and that (depending on what accusations might have been made) I could very well be going to get arrested. Gulp.
By this time I was bawling. The numbness from my arms was beginning to settle over the rest of me. Should we grab the kids and flee to Canada? Mexico? Glyndon? Wait a second here. Why was I panicking? I had not abused my child. I had nothing to fear. God was not going to wait outside the police station while I dealt with this on my own. Kyle was with me, the kids were healthy and safe, and we all got on our knees and asked God to intervene and help us on our behalf. Please help me Abba, Father, Papa, Daddy. I need you. Please help me to feel as though I am safely in your lap, in your arms, as I felt when I was a child on my earthly Daddy's knee.
We left for the police station, and on the way there our Pastor called and I filled him in on the situation. He was shocked when I told him that the Paralegal had told me it was legal for the officer to question Peanut without anyone else present, and without the parent's knowledge or consent. You are probably thinking, "WHAT?!?" I KNOW. This part of the whole ordeal has bothered me the most. Peanut has Down syndrome - and at times she is difficult to understand and she can be easily misled or misinterpret questions that she is asked. I had no idea what the officer could have asked her or what she might have said. And she was not able to communicate to me what their conversation was about.
When we got to the police station God gave me the strength to walk inside and face whatever was ahead. Was I going to find out what handcuffs actually felt like? I was as cold as the steel of a pair of handcuffs by this time. It was a good thing I hadn't eaten breakfast or it might have ended up on the floor of the policeman's office.
Knowing Godly friends were praying gave me just the support and encouragement I needed.
As soon as we sat down, we were surprised to hear the officer apologize to us. He went on to say that THIS WHOLE THING WAS BASICALLY A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY. At this time I don't have the liberty to write any more details about this situation other than to say that there is a child in our area whose name is similar to Peanut's who reported her own parent for abuse. The officer simply had the wrong house. You can imagine our relief. In fact, we were so relieved and so thankful that this turned out to be nothing, that we instantly forgot the turmoil this had put us through. In retrospect, I have learned several things.
1. Never answer your door when a policeman is knocking. Just kidding. No, seriously, our older children need to know that if a policeman or social worker should come to the door and ask to speak to another member of the household they should politely tell them, "I will call my parents and you can speak to them." If I had been home I would not have allowed the policeman to question Peanut without me present. I just think that was unacceptable, even though it was legal. If I had been home, and he had pushed the issue, I would have probably respectfully pushed right back for proof that it was legal, and insisted that she have someone represent her or that the conversation was recorded. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief that it actually happened. Unfortunately until the Lord returns, these types of things are probably going to become more and more commonplace, even in the United States of America.
2. Have the numbers for Home School Legal Defense and/or Christian Law Association or your family lawyer handy at all times. I had to wait until I got home to look these numbers up. And, shame on me, our membership with HSLDA is not current. This was a sharp reminder to quit procrastinating and renew our membership.
3. Know the people in your life who will pray for you in your time of need - and call them when you need them. This will bolster your faith and give you strength and encouragement.
4. Remember that these types of trials can come into our lives without any warning - and we need to be "always ready to give an answer" and stay in the Word and on our knees so we don't completely "lose it" when bad stuff happens. Just as God helped Paul and Silas in the jail, just as He helped the Israelites out of Egypt - just as He has upheld and sustained His people through all the ages, He will help you too, if you are His child.
5. If you do not know Christ as your Saviour, if you do not have God in your life, please contact me. It would be an honor to show you from God's word how you can have peace through the Cross.
6. Romans 8:28.
7. Thank you, God.
I was on my way to Fargo in the morning with Pickles for an appointment when Peaches called me in a panic on my cell phone and said, "MOM - there is a policeman at the door and he asked to talk to Peanut! He's outside asking her questions right now!!" I told her to give the phone to the policeman and asked him what was going on. He proceeded to tell me that there was a claim of abuse against me towards Peanut and that I needed to come to the police station for questioning. Just writing about this is making me feel sick again. I asked him if he could give me any more information, but he would not tell me anything further on the phone.
At this point my arms were going numb and I told the officer that I was on my way into Fargo for an appointment but that I would immediately turn around and come home. He told me that wasn't necessary - but I knew there was no way I could keep driving and continue on with my day with such an accusation bouncing around my brain. After I hung up with the policeman I immediately called Kyle and told him what was going on, and he decided to come home from work. I was very relieved as I knew I needed his support and leadership to face this.
I tried to reach our Pastor but his cell phone connection was cutting out, so I spoke with our Assistant Pastor and told him what was going on. I can't remember a word he said, I was very stressed and crying by this time, but I do remember he gave me some good advice. After I spoke with him (I was home by this time) I called Home School Legal Defense and they said because this situation was likely not a homeschooling issue, that they could not get involved. So then I called Christian Law Association and spoke with a Paralegal. He (or was it a she?) told me to go ahead and go to the police station to see what was going on, but that if I became the least bit uncomfortable with any of the questions that I was to stop answering and tell the officer I wanted a lawyer. Yikes. Yikes and a half! It was beginning to dawn on me that I really had no clue what we could possibly be facing - and that (depending on what accusations might have been made) I could very well be going to get arrested. Gulp.
By this time I was bawling. The numbness from my arms was beginning to settle over the rest of me. Should we grab the kids and flee to Canada? Mexico? Glyndon? Wait a second here. Why was I panicking? I had not abused my child. I had nothing to fear. God was not going to wait outside the police station while I dealt with this on my own. Kyle was with me, the kids were healthy and safe, and we all got on our knees and asked God to intervene and help us on our behalf. Please help me Abba, Father, Papa, Daddy. I need you. Please help me to feel as though I am safely in your lap, in your arms, as I felt when I was a child on my earthly Daddy's knee.
We left for the police station, and on the way there our Pastor called and I filled him in on the situation. He was shocked when I told him that the Paralegal had told me it was legal for the officer to question Peanut without anyone else present, and without the parent's knowledge or consent. You are probably thinking, "WHAT?!?" I KNOW. This part of the whole ordeal has bothered me the most. Peanut has Down syndrome - and at times she is difficult to understand and she can be easily misled or misinterpret questions that she is asked. I had no idea what the officer could have asked her or what she might have said. And she was not able to communicate to me what their conversation was about.
When we got to the police station God gave me the strength to walk inside and face whatever was ahead. Was I going to find out what handcuffs actually felt like? I was as cold as the steel of a pair of handcuffs by this time. It was a good thing I hadn't eaten breakfast or it might have ended up on the floor of the policeman's office.
Knowing Godly friends were praying gave me just the support and encouragement I needed.
As soon as we sat down, we were surprised to hear the officer apologize to us. He went on to say that THIS WHOLE THING WAS BASICALLY A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY. At this time I don't have the liberty to write any more details about this situation other than to say that there is a child in our area whose name is similar to Peanut's who reported her own parent for abuse. The officer simply had the wrong house. You can imagine our relief. In fact, we were so relieved and so thankful that this turned out to be nothing, that we instantly forgot the turmoil this had put us through. In retrospect, I have learned several things.
1. Never answer your door when a policeman is knocking. Just kidding. No, seriously, our older children need to know that if a policeman or social worker should come to the door and ask to speak to another member of the household they should politely tell them, "I will call my parents and you can speak to them." If I had been home I would not have allowed the policeman to question Peanut without me present. I just think that was unacceptable, even though it was legal. If I had been home, and he had pushed the issue, I would have probably respectfully pushed right back for proof that it was legal, and insisted that she have someone represent her or that the conversation was recorded. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief that it actually happened. Unfortunately until the Lord returns, these types of things are probably going to become more and more commonplace, even in the United States of America.
2. Have the numbers for Home School Legal Defense and/or Christian Law Association or your family lawyer handy at all times. I had to wait until I got home to look these numbers up. And, shame on me, our membership with HSLDA is not current. This was a sharp reminder to quit procrastinating and renew our membership.
3. Know the people in your life who will pray for you in your time of need - and call them when you need them. This will bolster your faith and give you strength and encouragement.
4. Remember that these types of trials can come into our lives without any warning - and we need to be "always ready to give an answer" and stay in the Word and on our knees so we don't completely "lose it" when bad stuff happens. Just as God helped Paul and Silas in the jail, just as He helped the Israelites out of Egypt - just as He has upheld and sustained His people through all the ages, He will help you too, if you are His child.
5. If you do not know Christ as your Saviour, if you do not have God in your life, please contact me. It would be an honor to show you from God's word how you can have peace through the Cross.
6. Romans 8:28.
7. Thank you, God.
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