Fun with the Eaves on Bud's Birthday!

12 Mansell arrows : )

We have grown...our two oldest children are married now and I have survived the much feared wedding planning. God has been so faithful in bringing us two new children - Gary and Hilary. Both Gary and Hilary are the only child in their families - they love having a slew of brothers and sisters.

Nathan and Hilary on their wedding day!!!! We are so blessed to have Hilary as part of our family - we love you!

Much has happened since our last post - as you can see!

Thought this was a fun representation of our "Girls Day Out"!

choking, lying, and a different game plan

One evening Dad looks over at the little boys to find Tamu choking Yordy!

"TAMU!! Stop choking him!"

Tamu lets go and says,

"I wasn't choking him, I almost choked him."

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While my grandparents were visiting, Maddie gave my grandmother a little angel as a  belated birthday gift. A little while later Elaina walks up to my grandmother and asks what that "thing" was.

"Oh, it is what Maddie gave me for my birthday."

"Oh," Elaina said thoughtfully, "well... um... ya see, we asked her to give that to you from ALL of us."

Yeah.... I told Dad later that she was most definitely HIS daughter. :) To which we fully took responsibility.

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One afternoon, Mom, Ms. Pam and I were sitting in the kitchen, when I spotted Tame tip-toeing past the kitchen towards the back with a play tea cup FULL of water.

"What are you doing with that water Tamu?" I asked.

He stopped, pausing for a moment, then started walking towards the table where we were sitting.

"Uh...." He continued walking. "Um... I was just going to..... uh..... set it here!" He set it right in front of me and ran off before I could accuse him of anything different. :)

Kiss for my Sweetie!!!

I just want to take the time to thank my husband for being the great man that he is...(I don't do this often enough and am usually too private to do it publicly, so this is a gift for him - please bear with me!)

He studies God's word daily, provides so I can be at home, is a wonderful father and example of contentment and joy in all circumstances.  Thanks for being a total supporter for/of me always and helping me get through this tough surgery and recovery!  I love you Mark!

New Family Pics

Thanks to David Paul Murray we have some new family pictures!  Here are just a few - I don't want to give away the Christmas Card surprises for this year!  

Family picture including Nathan's Hilary : )

I like this picture because of the way it puts our children's ages/sizes in perspective!

This down hill attempt wasn't so great as you can tell by Nathan's gesture!

2 Peter 3 - What God is reminding me...

After the election on November 4th I was reading my Bible and studying passages on progressive sanctification.  One of my passages was 2 Peter 3:18 - the passage began with a "but" so I went back to read it in its context.  Here is the part that struck me:

"And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of Scriptures, to their own destruction.  You, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

1)  I could relate to Paul as my brother in Christ

2)  It is okay that I don't understand all of what Paul wrote in his letters!

3)  the untaught and unstable distort the scriptures (reminder)

4) Be on my guard and make sure I am not carried away by unprincipled men

5)  To be steadfast in God's Word

So, I know it is basic, but it was a great reminder to me that God is in control and my job is to remain steadfast and grow in Christ.  My job as a mom is to make sure my children remain steadfast and grow in Christ or come to a saving knowledge of Him - depending on the child.  We will honor our Lord, remain steadfast and "be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yield its fruit in its season, its leaf does not wither and whatever he does he prospers." Psalm 1:3

Thanks to my big helpers!!!

Maddie and Lawson, thanks for picking up where Jillian and daddy needed you most!  You are great examples of the ability to put Christ first!

This picture of Jillian captures her quiet joy.  The joy I have the privilege of seeing as she serves in our home tirelessly.  Jillian you are a blessing beyond measure and I thank you for all of your help during this time!  

You all remind me of 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity, Amen. 

Sleeping at the Mansell's

Hello to all again!  I am back up a running just a little after a long, hard surgery.  No sign of cancer is present and for this we praise our Lord Jesus Christ!  

I am awake while all are sleeping trying to catch up on some business that is long over due, but I couldn't help but marvel and thank God for the blessings I found fast asleep.  

Mark and I had to head into town this evening so the older ones were in charge.  We arrived home to find everyone asleep except for Lawson.  Lawson rarely sleeps before everyone is home.  I was headed to bed and looked at the sleeping bodies.  There must be something about having so many brothers and sisters that causes you to give up that personal space.  Each night I find the kids in different places asleep.  Sometimes there are five on a single bed and one on a double bed.  Some nights there are 5 on the floor, three on a bed etc.  Each child has there own bed and bedroom, but they all like being together to fall asleep.  I used to worry and try to make sure that every child slept in their own bed, but once you bring home children from Ethiopia and you learn they spent their nights sleeping in a home with a barred door, lights on and a gun waiting for someone to brake in, your perspective changes.  In one year we have accomplished 1)falling asleep without tears of fear, 2) sleeping without a light on each night, 3) no one wakes with night terrors 4) Maddie still sleeps with her Bible clutched in her hands, but not out of fear anymore.  Our nights are peaceful as each child grows and learns his/her relationship to Christ.  I wish I could locate a camera as I wanted to add a picture of everyone sleeping...I guess it will have to be added later : )

All of you who have spent a night or visited here can probably laugh when reading this post!

Update! Update!

Hello all!

It has been a whirlwind the past week! Mom and I just returned home from our lovely stay in Charleston for her surgery. She left last Monday, so we were all grateful to have her home. 

The surgery itself went very very well. The doctor said it was the most boring one he has done. :) And, equally, the recovery process has gone swimmingly! Our one matter of concern is her back. The culmination of the surgery itself, laying down in the hospital bed, stress of being away from home and everything else has really messed up Mom's lower back. While we were in the hospital, it was so bad she couldn't stand and walking was so painful it made her want to drop to her knees. The good news is she is a lot better and can handle standing and walking longer distances before her back tightens up. But, that is our major request at the moment. 

Yesterday, mom and I had quite the adventure. After our last doctors appointment we took (what I was hoping would be a short trip) to the Citadel Mall. We entered Target where she hopped into one of those powered wheelchairs. Well.... Let's just say it was God's grace that the drugged Sharon Mansell did not injure any unfortunate shoppers. :) It only took a few moments to discover that that was not the best choice of action. I, rather rapidly went to find a push wheelchair. :)

She says I almost killed her, but you must remember which one of us was not medicated. :) I bumped into a few things, but I am determined a few little bumps was much better than knocking over rows of clothing or running over a poor child. :)

We have so many people to thank: 

All the nurses at East Cooper! Y'all were wonderful! We hope that God used us in your life's as much as He touched us through yours. :)

The Whole Bratz family, especailly Ms. Pam

Nathan, Conner, and Jack... thanks for your hospitality :) 

Denise Qualls

The Halseth's 

Michelle Norman

Collen Brant

Diane Burnett

Sheldon Baptist Church

Donna Winne

Gay McNair

Rhonda Thorton

Tammy Waldron

Kathy Qualls

Brenda Harmon

Sharon Strever

The Hodgin's

Stew and Audrey Butler

Gram Butler

The McMillian's :)

John and Ruth Ann Mansell

Beth Kephart 

Chris Butler

...and I am sure a thousand other people. We appreciate all your continued prayers. We have been blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people, near and far. To see all the willing support has been so encouraging. Thank y'all!

Hope to update you more soon! Till then,

~jillian