Fall Fun!

Posted on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 10:46

Hello Friends!
The Wood family has been enjoying the crisp Autumn evenings here in Kansas. Yesterday, the girls and I delighted in doing our hair in styles of the past- it was such fun! I have posted the link that we found the directions at as well as photos of the girls. Last night, the children enjoyed dancing wtih friends where they enjoyed a meal cooked over fire, folk dancing and carmel apples. I didn't get to many photos of the night, I was enjoying the fellowship around the fire with the other women. It was such a precious time of celebration last night. We especially enjoyed the worship time with our new friends!

Have a wonderful weekend with your families. We will enjoy a day of rest today and then get back to packing.. moving date is only 26 days away... we are all counting down the days! The children have all ready started talking about inviting our friends from every state to come and enjoy a camp out with us this next Summer.. we will have to see how the Lord leads. Would anyone be interested?

Until our next chat....
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Link to the hairsytles: http://intimelyfashion.com/main/?cat=10  ENJOY!

My girls getting ready for their dance

Sarah Grace reading on the Front Porch

The back of Sarahs hair.. it was so easy and pretty too!

Beth Joys hair style was simple and had many alternatives we could do in the future

Isn't Beth Joy so precious?

Bekahs hair style was a favorite with the ribbon. The girls enjoy ribbons and bows.

My girls.. so delightful! I enjoy every moment with them!

What has happened 17 times in the last 17 years in the Wood family???

Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 01:59

Hello dear friends!
Well, the Wood family has some wonderful, exciting, new news to share with you all.... first have you gotten use to writing the Wood family address in pencil yet? I sure hope so because we are on the move once again! Move 17 in 17 years is just a few months away. The Lord has richly blessed us with a home on 16 acres.  The home is so pretty... it is truly a "Jeanette" house with a front porch for friendship visits, big pretty windows and plenty of room for our family to grow! Two orchards, two gardens, and multiple berries are already mature and ready for the Wood family to enjoy!  A pretty wooded park like area is awaiting the children for days of play! We also have a river that is quite huge, it actually is hooked up to our water system to care for the animals, landscaping and gardens. The river is sure to provide fun in the heat of summer, fishing tales and days of fun in the canoe with daddy! The barn is huge and is sure to be filled with the animals our Father provides in His perfect timing! We are all delighted!!! Can I share how it all happened? It was truly a God event!!!

One day, a few weeks ago, a gentleman came to our door saying that he was running for office. I directed him out back to visit with my Joe for awhile. After some time, Joe came to me and introduced us again- his name was Mr. Zeller- he mentioned to me that he had met several home school families and was also a father of five. Later that day we were driving around as a family when we saw him going door to door on another street. We pulled over to invite him to dinner however, when he pulled out his calendar it was easy to see he was quite busy. He asked for our email and phone number so he could call us and try to fit something in should the Lord open those doors. He also asked if I would want to be added to his email newsletter. Of course! We  would love to keep current on his progress and the issues we could be in prayer over.

A few days later I received an email from the woman who was in charge of Mr. Zellers email newsletter. She sent me a sweet introduction letter to her family- she is a homeschool mom of 7. What a treat it was to hear from her and more than that she also invited us out to her home for a dinner and dance. Now, everyone that knows the Wood family knows we don't go out much but after talking to my Joe and the children everyone thought we should go and meet them. What a surprise when we showed up... there was 6-7 other homeschool families all with many children! We were delighted and had a fun night of fellowship! The children continually came to me saying, "Momma.. these are really neat friends!" While visiting with some of the women I was asked how we liked Kansas. I responded, "We are enjoying it. It was quite a pleasant surprise to find it so pretty and people so friendly. My parents came out and would like to join us here one day. We are going to start looking for property but we have some special requests because of their needs." One of the woman said, "Oh! You're looking for a place?" "Well, yes but it must have a paved road." I said hesitantly since most of what Joe and I found has been on dirt roads. "Oh! It does!" she responded and then she told us that the Ribelins had not yet put their home up for sale but that they had built a home on more property and were getting ready to do so. I got the phone number so we could contact them but I wasn't really feeling rushed to call since it probably wasn't what we were looking for.

Two days after that party, Joe was off from work and said he wanted to go look at the home. We got directions and were so surprised... rolling hills, everything was green, close to the shopping center, nice homes on the drive out.. everything was looking so lovely. Could this home really be something we are looking for? As we turned the bend of the road we saw the home.. instantly, the car "whoooed and awed" Oh, could this be the home we are looking for? We met the family, who are very precious! Both of us talked and said.. "Let's see what God does." Even if He says no to us buying the home we both agreed that we wanted our friendship to grow as we grow in Him. We toured the property.. I called mom in tears as this was exactly where I could see them growing old and me walking over to enjoy a cup of tea with her in the mornings!

After a few exchanges in documents, photos and information. Mom and Dad felt they needed to fly out for the weekend to look at the property and see if this was the Lords direction for our families. After mom and dad took a look at everything and the matter was given time in prayer.. we have all decided this is the Lords direction and... well... The Wood family is moving!!!

We have a lease at this home however, the land lord has agreed to let us out of it if he can find another quality renter. We know that if this is the Lords direction He will take care of all these details. Our hearts are filled with thanks! We feel so richly, abundantly and undeservingly blessed!!! Dear friends, please lift your voice in praise and thank Him for His continual faithfulness to our family. Surely He has taken us to green pastures!!!

I have posted  some photos for you to peek into our new home. I will send everyone our address as things get closer!

Thank you again for all your prayers and love toward us... we appreciate each of you!!!!

With much love, Mrs. Joseph Wood


Driving up to our new home


Coming down the driveway

Buidling site for Momma and Daddy some day

Wooded area


Huge pretty back yard for fun with friends





River:



Home:







I hope you enjoyed our little tour! Until our next chat dear friends....

Fun and His faithfulness

Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 06:59

Hello Friends!
The Lord has been so faithful to us regarding our move to KS- He is always faithful! We have met several sweet families that have such a sweet spirits. This last weekend we were invited to join them for a night of dancing. The children had a great deal of fun and we were also able to get to know others that have large families and love the Lord as well. One family we met had ten boys, another had seven girls and two boys,  one family had nine children, another had seven children and still another had five girls. What a joy it is to fellowship with other mommies that love their duties as wife and mommy!

The next night my Joe was home and we were able to visit with one of the families from the dance night. We had a wonderful time playing games and eating popcorn and apples! What fun these simple moments are! I love to share the Lord with others and hear what He is doing in their hearts and homes too!

I have posted a few photos for you to enjoy from our night of dancing and fun. I need to finish up some more grape jelly and start some apple butter.  We have been richly blessed by the Father. He has truly done marvelous things our lives!

With much love dear friends,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Celebrating my blessings!

Posted on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 10:53

Greetings Friends!
This last Friday was my son, Ezekiel's birthday! What a wonderful day it was to celebrate my blessing! The Father has so graciously given me these children; I am truly humbled to be their mommy. I must take each day, each moment, with a seriousness and respect of the great calling that He has placed on my life! Oh! dear friends, I can not count the times I have given thanks to the Father for letting me be this young mans mother! Ezekiel was born from our hearts through adoption. The battle was long and fierce for him and his siblings and I will never take for granted what the Lord has done in bringing them into our home. Ezekiel is a mighty man for Christ. May he grow strong to accomplish all the Lord has set before him... all for God's Glory!

Ezekiel planed out his day the night before his birthday. To start the day off we all enjoyed a day of yard sales! Fun, fun, fun! Our sweet neighbors invited us to join them in a city not far from here that had a city wide yard sale! There were hundreds of yard sales in this small country town. We parked our car and walked to each one.. NO! We didn't visit them all, not even close! We had take a certain amount with us and once that was gone we were done and ready for a trip to the ice cream parlor!  Ezekiel requested ice cream at the parlor instead of a cake so off we went!  What a delightful treat it was to spend time with all the children. The Lord poured out such peace upon our family. I enjoyed the day as if there were no life troubles to distract me. For at that moment, there was nothing more important than enjoying all that the Father has given me- my blessings!  After ice cream, we headed back home for naps and put all our yard sale finds in their places. Sammy was excited about his bubble lawn mower that he bought with his own dollar. He is eager to help the big boys mow the yard! Naps refreshed us so we could tackle the rest of our day. Off we went again for dinner and a night at the lake for hot air balloon rides! The children were so tickled to be walking around these huge balloons. None of them were frightened about going up in them, which really surprised me since I have some very reserved and cautious children at times. Balloon rides, climbing on fire trucks, bouncing in bounce houses and playing on the grass with siblings took us late into the night. We all enjoyed seeing the hot air balloons light up at night! The photos we took didn't even come close to capturing how pretty it was. I have posted a slide show on the side of the blog for you to enjoy!

Spiritually, the Lord continues to work in each of our hearts! I am thankful that He will complete the good work He has begun! My heart continues to wait upon the Lord. I will patiently bear the delay of His answer to me with confidence that it will come in due season! What a sweet heart work, transformation, that has been taking place in my life!

How are you dear friends? Please send us a note as the Lord allows you too!

The Wood family sends hugs to each of you! Cheryl you have been in our prayers- we love you dearly dear sister! Lori- Rebekah enjoyed seeing Rachel's picture- she was surprised with how she had grown. I guess we forget that others are aging as we are too! :-) Kohout friends, Joe has yet another newspaper to share with you. I think he is trying to send hints that we would love to have you join us here in KS! :-) We know the Lord has each of us placed perfectly to testify of His love and grace- we just love you guys! Susi- did the children get Zeke's letter? If not, that is my fault. He wrote two letters that were the same and I threw one away.. I am hoping I didn't throw them both away. Let me know when you can! Well, there are so many of you dear friends that I would love to just come and sit and share with. For now, the Father has allowed us to share via our emails, letters, phone calls and blogs. I will thank Him for those moments and trust that "real life" fellowship will happen in His timing!

Until our next chat, may all His blessings abound in your hearts and home... all for His Glory!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood


Josiah, Bekah and Ezekiel- they are such a blessing to me~ I delight in each of them!

My Timothy and Ezekiel enjoying a ride on the fire engine


The girls gave toddlers "horsie rides" until late into the night. We all sat on the grass and had a simply relaxing and delighful time playing, laughing and loving each other! I thank the Lord for such sweet memories that were made!



Can't you just hear them giggle?!

Beth and Sarah my little ladies!


Elisha working on his art work of our night with the balloons!

Sweet Days in our Home

Posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 11:15

Delighting in Him wherever He leads- That is my heart cry! I want to surrender myself to His will no matter what He asks of me. I have learned that when I surrender my hopes, dreams, and desires to Him I find great peace. In fact, I am confident that He desires only the best for me and is seeking ways to bless me as I obey Him!

This last week the Father blessed us with a beautiful visit from my parents! They left California on the 23rd of August and arrived here in Topeka on the 25th. Their travel was peaceful, their sleep was sweet at each of their stops, and they were covered with His protection and mercy as they made their way toward us. Momma called us at about 10am on Monday morning to let us know she and daddy were right down the road. Timothy answered the phone, it was the call the children had been waiting for. Timothy began cheering with great excitement, dropped the phone and ran outside. All the Wood children followed suit and were right on his heals. On the sidewalk, the children jumped, cheered and waved as they saw grandpa and grandmas cars nearing us. No sooner had the engines been turned off, and all the children were hugging and squeezing their grandparents. The tears of Joy flowed as we all embraced and gave thanks to the Lord for allowing us to visit together. How precious are His ways!

Trips to the zoo, birthday celebrations, Bekah's Bistro, late night chats, country drives, shopping sprees and more good meals filled our days together. I guess it is no surprise when I tell you that we all felt the time went by much to quickly! Yet, we were faced with a choice: do we grumble and complain we didn't have longer or do we celebrate and give thanks the time we did have together? We chose to fix our eyes on the gift He had given us with this sweet visit instead of our loss.

Momma and Daddy left on the 30th after we enjoyed a breakfast with them. They had purchased the children tickets to a mid evil festival for us to attend after their departure. We decided to take Shadow with us to the festival and did enjoy the time we spent with him. I don't think we would ever attend the festival again- it just wasn't the place for my little mighty men or my sweet handmaidens to be.  While the festival didn't really meet the expectations of our family code of morals, we did enjoy a few events there- we didn't stay very long. Joe and the children learned about weapons from times past, shot arrows, and learned about blacksmithing. My Elisha has been checking into blacksmith books from the library and talking to his daddy about learning this lost skill for some time. We now have some connections and we will wait to see how the Lord leads us to continue. We enjoyed pizza and fellowship with Shadow after the festival. Shadow is such a blessing to our family and is growing in the Lord as he becomes part of our family. I took pictures of the children while we were out- one of Shadow is my favorite, so I will share it with you to enjoy as well.

In case you didn't know, the Wood family has a U.S. Map that we hang in our hallway. On there we have a heart for each family friend that we pray for. We also have a Frito Lay truck that we move from state to state when daddy is out working. The children love to call him and ask, "Where are you now?" They have learned so much about the states this way. While grandpa and grandma were traveling, the children  made a car to move across the states as well. The children loved to get those calls from grandma updating us on her location. Grandma wanted photos of the children moving her across the map so I have posted a few of them here for you to enjoy too.

Today, we plan on bowling with our sweet neighbors. Daddy and the boys have been organizing the garage and putting all the tools away. The girls and I have unpacked all the boxes and put the home back in order. Now that we have our grinder we have made bread for the neighbors and ourselves- what sweet days these are! May my life bear witness to His love!

I best get back to the duties here in my home. My Joe had just asked me to update our blog since it had been awhile. We always love sharing with our friends! May each of you have a wonderful week as you abide in Him!

With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Matthew "moving" grandma and papa across the states



Josiah "moving" grandparents closer toward us...


They're getting closer!


Photos from the Festival:

Bekah and Shadow:


Beth, Ezekiel and Samuel


This is my favorite photo of Shadow from that day. We often call him Sir James of Woodling Ham (he lives on a street called Woodling Ham) Shadow enjoys sharing poetry with Bekah and always seeking to "play the part of a man." His heart is very tender and just one of the  reasons why my Joe and I truly delight in him.



My Joe and the children learning about weapons of war



Josiah taking a shot with the arrows. His Vision Forum armor was quite a topic of conversation while we were there. I think he was getting a little frustrated with stranger coming up to him and knocking on his helmet though. :-)



I just love this look on my Sarah Graces face.... I can only guess what was going through her mind. She enjoyed being Elishas "buddy" for this time out. She is such a jewel!


Here is a photo of my Matthew playing outside the home. He was so happy to get all his cowboy toys from California. I love seeing my boys play like men! They are truly momma's little mighty men! May they grow to be Mighty Men for the King!