Summertime change and celebrations

I'm pacing myself for all of the work and changes coming to our family within the next few months. We covet your prayers as we step out in faith to follow His leading.

Our lease here is up in June and we need to sell our house in Mt. Vernon. So we're going to be moving our furniture into storage, living in our travel trailer, renovating the house, selling it, and buying a home back here in the Bothell/Snohomish area, prayerfully all in time for school to start again in September.

Prior to our move, I will also be taking some courses to provide more professional services to people with disabilities and their families. The goal is to start working with clients after being resettled in September.

In the midst of all this we're going to have a big party in July. We're welcoming family and friends from near and far to celebrate a lifetime of love - my parents' 50th wedding anniversary!  (It will be our 10th wedding anniversary as well, though our celebration will wait.)

What an adventurous and creative 5 months it's going to be! I'm already praying for patience, peace, and our new neighborhood - that we will be placed right in the middle of where we need to be, in just the right home, at just the right price! He is in control. We make our plans but He directs our steps. We are listening and trying to be obedient. His kingdom come. His will be done - here as in heaven.

Thanks for your patience and prayers too during this exciting #caldwelladventure. 'Tis going to be awesome to take this day by day and see His hand at work through all the details. Stay tuned to follow our story...

Spin the wheel of the Prayer Lottery: Truth or Dare

Our Jessica has asked for a Sweet 16 Princess Ball for her upcoming birthday party. Jessica rarely asks for much and has had some of the simplest birthday parties over the years so over the weekend I set about trying to make some plans from her specific requests.

I began searching for a dress online - something beautiful yet affordable. Very quickly the dream started feeling out of reach. I whispered a prayer to the Lord - expressing my desire to make this a beautiful occasion to celebrate Jessica, asking for His provisions and His guidance. I quickly felt prompted to post my search for a dress to a Facebook group I have recently joined – our local "Buy Nothing Project" (a gift economy community - no exchange of money allowed). 

Within minutes of posting a request to find or borrow a dress, a woman contacted me. She has connections to the "pageant" community and will make sure that Jessica has a dress to wear. In addition to that, she wants to help every girl attending to have one too! How cool is that?! I was immediately overcome with gratitude and a reminder that our Heavenly Father loves to give good gifts to His children - above and beyond what we can ever imagine! 

This woman's generosity made me feel like we had just won a grand prize! But in fact, we haven't won anything because we didn't enter a competition. It’s better than that! We are gracious recipients of someone else's generosity. That’s what makes us all “winners”!

It started me thinking about how God often uses community to meet our needs. I also began pondering why we don't come to Him with more specific requests for our needs and our wants? 

We don't hesitate to enter our names in contests for prizes and free giveaways. Or at least I don't. Sometimes I win. Sometimes I don't. But I keep trying. If I'm "lucky" enough, I might actually win a "BIG ONE" someday.

My husband and I attended a recent charity event where some pretty amazing door and raffle prizes were being given away - a weekend trip to the mountains, $100 gift cards, and expensive wine and dine packages. All you had to do was have a "winning ticket". 

When it came time to announce the winners, everyone had their tickets out, checking their numbers. Some folks were whispering, "Pick me. Pick me. Pick me!" while others were already saying, "It won't matter. I never win anyway." Winners whooped and hollered! It was great fun, especially for the winners. 

Sometimes I think we approach God like a raffle contest. We come to Him and enter our prayer request into the draw. We whisper, "Pick me, pick me" hoping we might be lucky enough for Him to draw our winning number. Or we're already saying "I'm never lucky but it doesn't hurt to try. There's always next time." If He answers our request, we act like the unsuspecting surprise winner instead of an expectant and gracious child who trusted that their needs were going to be met. 

But Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."  

So why don't we ask in faith, believing that we are going to receive the answer? Why do we hesitate to express a specific need or desire? I believe it all boils down to fear and false beliefs. We need HIS truth to answer the lies of fear. 

1. Fear: the answer will be no. Truth: It's not about luck. It's about HIS blessings! God is a giver! He is more than enough. He loves to give good gifts and bless His children. Stop saying, "I won't be the lucky winner anyway!" You are a winner because you are His child. God has an unlimited supply of healthy bodies, peace for troubled hearts, college scholarships, financial provisions, and even ball gowns.... You fill in the blank. What do you need? What are some wants?
2. Fear: what others may think of us. Truth: People will always judge. But God's forgiveness, grace, and mercy are all that matters. I am worthy to receive answers to my prayers because of Jesus.
3. Fear: Expressing need makes me feel vulnerable. Receiving makes me feel at the mercy of the giver. Truth: Community matters. We were created in and for community. We need one another. We honor God when we give to others in His Name. In order to be blessed by the act of giving, there must also be a recipient. Sometimes I'm the giver. Sometimes I'm the receiver. We need to learn how to give and receive equally with grace.
4. Lie: It doesn't feel very spiritual. It's more honorable to ask for others not myself. Spiritual Truth: He doesn't play favorites. He's my Heavenly Daddy. It's His delight to listen, answer, and provide for you and me too.

So next time you’re tempted to play the “prayer lottery” with a wishful desire, I dare you to present your specific request to Him, believing in faith that you are already a winner!

My next "bold" ask is more of a desire than a need. However, I'm going to ask Him anyway for an all-expenses paid trip to Israel for me and my husband within the next year to commemorate his 50^th Birthday and our 10^th Anniversary.

What’s your specific ask?

Let’s believe together and celebrate His faithfulness when we receive the answers!

Christmas Greetings from the Caldwells

Christmas greetings from our house to yours this beautiful Christmas season! The big news around here is that Western Washington is having its first white Christmas in many years, with record low temperatures, too. We’ve seen a record 20+ inches of snowfall over the past week and the children even got to start their Winter break 3 days early. If it wasn’t so cold and we had more winter gear, they might enjoy it a little more, though they did make the snowman seen here.

2008 has been a good year for the Caldwells, not as much big news as previous years, which is kind of nice. Paul had a couple job changes. He started the year out as an Inventory Manager, and then tried his hand at car sales. Of course with the declining economy that wasn’t the best move and he found it a lot tougher than he had anticipated in the beginning. After another job search he landed at AutoZone in August and he is now managing his own store 30 miles away and enjoying it.

My home-based consulting business has gone very well this year with one client/contract after another. Right now I am awaiting word on a new contract. (They came to me and requested that I respond to the RFP so though it’s not a guarantee; it feels very positive.) If I’m awarded the contract, I will be the Project Coordinator for a newly formed County Parent Advocacy Coalition. It is a part-time position and will keep me busy for 2009. I will basically be the go-to person assisting families and their sons/daughters with disabilities, providing them with information and resources regarding local services available. It will also mean some travel away from home, working with legislators in Olympia as we advocate on behalf of families in our county. However; I am very excited about the potential for this position and what it will mean for our county families and individuals with developmental disabilities. It is a huge blessing to have the opportunity to be paid for my passion and to continue working out of my home office, with Hannah Mae close at hand.

Speaking of home, our girls are growing and changing every day as children do. Life with each of them is so much fun. We are proud of each of them in her own special way. Jeanna is 12 and in 7th grade this year. She had straight A’s her first term and is working hard to maintain her 4.0 gpa. She is playing her violin in the orchestra for the 4th year in a row and is getting very good on it. She just wrapped up her first volleyball season on her school team and seemed to enjoy it. She attends a couple of different girls/youth groups and has quite the social calendar. Whenever she’s not otherwise booked, I hire her to help me out babysitting her sisters. (Such a relief to be able to get out the door without 5+ extra bodies all the time.)

Jessica is 9 and in 2nd grade in a regular classroom. She is continuing to progress in every area, though certainly at her own pace. She is learning to read with expression and is now reading signs out loud as we drive around town. She continues to amaze us in so many different ways. A big challenge for her right now is trying to figure out the latest member of our family – young Hannah Mae… Jessica finds her unpredictable and can’t quite figure out what toddlers just doesn’t understand yet.

Haley is 8 and in 3rd grade and a smart cookie, too. She is making excellent grades in every subject and is a wonderful and compassionate, protective “little” sister to Jessica at school. Haley is also a very responsible young lady and quite a wonderful “Mother’s Little Helper”. She helps out lots with Hannah Mae, especially in the entertainment department. They are especially fond of “chasing” each other around the kitchen and laughing their heads off at the silliest little things. I love listening to their big and little girl giggles! (There is never a dull moment at our house between the hours of 7 am and 9 pm…) Jeanna, Haley and Jessica attend GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior) Girls club together and really enjoy it.

Molly turns 5 in a couple weeks and is in preschool this year. She comes and visits about once a week or so. She is very precocious and a ball of energy (like Haley and Hannah Mae). We have some very precious quiet tender moments with her as well. She especially likes to come with us on special family outings and we do our best to include her in them as much as possible. She’s a great little story-teller and especially loves to help “wash the dishes” (…or anyone close by) with the sprayer.

And then there’s Hannah Mae who is now 19 months old, busy as can be and into everything!!! We are a gated community around here with no less than 4 gates up around the house, door knob covers on every door and door locks on every cupboard. It’s a good thing I have so many extra sets of eyes and hands as they certainly help me keep an eye on her and keep her from too much mischief. She is talking lots and putting a couple words together at a time now. Her/our biggest achievement has been that I am finally able to put her to bed awake and she gets herself to sleep without having to be held or rocked. Though we’re going through some minor withdrawals (Paul more so than me…), it does feel very good not to have her attached to me so much!

We are so thankful for my Mom & Dad living a mile away from us now. Mom is Jessica’s personal care assistant on weekday afternoons, helping Jessica with her homework, bathing, and “chores”. This is a huge help and benefit to all of us. Couldn’t ask for a caregiver who loves Jessica more or who is easier to work with! Next best thing to mom or dad is always “Mimi”! All of us love having her here every day. Mom is a hard worker and always on the go.

Dad continues to have his health issues. He is recovering right now from rotator cuff surgery a couple weeks back. He is funny as ever and knows just how to keep us all laughing. (He was the “funny guy” behind the photographer for our family pictures.) They have been pastoring here in Mt. Vernon in one capacity or another ever since they got here and are right now in a bit of a transition. Dad continues to preach and fill-in whenever/wherever he can and they are both a breath of fresh air wherever they go.

Paul & I continue to lead/host a small group in our home every week and we have made the best friends ever through this group. The group continues to grow and we thoroughly enjoy this avenue of ministry and outreach together. We love our church family and all the wonderful amazing friendships in our life.

Marriage and family is a delight for Paul and I and our 5 girls together. Paul spoils me rotten (and I try to spoil him back…) Paul surprised me last weekend with a wonderful “second” honeymoon as we escaped to the Salish Lodge and Spa overlooking the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls. He took care of all the details including child-care arrangements and even packed their bags. It was an amazing heavenly 36 hours alone together in the most romantic atmosphere ever. I am so-o-o blessed!

We would love to hear from you and your family and especially love seeing your pictures too. We pray this letter finds you enjoying this holy season as we celebrate the birth of our risen Savior. Have a very Merry CHRISTmas and may His richest blessings be yours in 2009!

Love and Blessings,

The Caldwells
Joy-Grace & Paul
Jeanna, Jessica, Haley, Molly & Hannah Mae.

P.S. Here’s a Christmas poem for you, written by Haley (with a bit of help from me), just for fun.



I look outside
And what do I see?
I see snowflakes falling
In front of me

Snowflakes are beautiful
Snowflakes are light
Snowflakes are falling
It’s quite the sight

It’s icy and cold
It’s fluffy and white
Slippery and wet
Reflecting the lights

The trees now transformed
With blankets of white
As the snowflakes fell
All through the night

There’s three more days
‘Til Christmas Eve
To open the gifts
We will receive

Christmas is coming
Not fast enough
For all of the kids
Who want lots of stuff

Is it all about stuff
Or what is the reason
For all the traditions
Of the holiday season?

The reason for Christmas
Is all about giving
Love, hope, and peace on earth
It’s Christ we’re celebrating

With family gathered
‘round the tree
While Papa reads
The Christmas story

We take a moment
To reflect
On Jesus Christ
The Best friend we’ve met.