1 Thessalonians 5:18

I am not merely trying to impress you with my scripture recollection. I only know this one by heart because I have heard it many times on a CD entitled "Sing the Word from A to Z." (A selection that we Ismerts highly recommend.) Thus, my story begins...

About 2 hours ago, at dinner time, our three year old Gid led us in prayer. "Thank you that we could have a nice day, thank you that we get to eat noodles... (he looks at the table) and bread, thank you that we get to have (long pause, Daddy helps) Parmesan cheese. Thank you that I throwed up, thank you for we get to eat. In Jesus' name, Amen." I stole a glance at Michael and stifled a laugh when Gid mentioned that he was thankful that he had "throwed up." Then I pondered if that was a good thing for Gideon to be thankful for. Then this verse came to mind. "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

I truely have no idea why Gid was thankful for throwing up, but I like that he was thankful for all the things that had happened to him. I know that we are supposed to give thanks in all circumstances. This is very difficult to do. I have a friend...

I (Sunshine) am 17 weeks pregnant with our seventh child. A dear friend of mine (whose due date was close to mine) is no longer expecting their eighth child. She is a dear mommy, I admire her patience and faith. Several weeks ago she experienced some bleeding and went to see a doctor for an untrasound. They found out that their baby had died and that there was also something wrong in her womb. After a few tests they determined that the cells that used to be their dear, growing baby had become cancerous. After a D & C failed to remove all of the cancer, she underwent an emergency hysterectomy. The surgery has been followed by chemo treatments to attempt to eliminate any other cancer cells. Two days before Christmas, my sweet friend was again rushed to the hospital. Doctors feared that the cancer had spread into her lungs. At the bottom of her husband's email he wrote:

Please continue to pray for ____ that her heart and mind would stay on Christ and that He would comfort her during this time. Please pray for the doctors that God would give them wisdom as they determine their next cause of action towards ____. Please pray for healing for____. all of this we know the Lord is Good, His mercy is Everlasting and His Truth endureth through all generations. God is our hope, in Him do we place our Trust. Thank you in advance dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ for all your prayers! I will try to keep you updated when we find out more.

All day, I struggled to keep my mind on Christ. I agonized that the thought of my friend dying, of seven children without a mom, and a husband offering a broken heart to God. I cried and prayed. And the children prayed with me.

Our relief and joy was great when the doctors determined that my friend's struggle was not with a spreading cancer, but with a bad reaction to the chemo drug! Praise God. She is not out of the woods yet, they are hving to change medications and give her steroids to help heal her lungs.

The moral of this story (I think) is this. We do not have to fake thanksgiving, or to put on a tough face. As beleivers, God consistantly supplies us with all that we need to obey His word. His grace is always sufficient and timely. I was struggling to give thanks in all circumstances for the life and death struggle in my friends life. However, God supplied abundantly to them when they needed it. Those of you who know my friend Tina have seen that first hand these last few years. I remeber during that time she told me, "I am His (God's) servant. I trust Him. If this (brain tumor) is what He is using to show His glory, I want Him to have His way in my life."

To close, another scripture...

I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:4-5 (the whole chapter is great)

Ismert Family Camping- easy style

On Saturday, I (dad) thought it would be a great idea if we camped out in the backyard. I asked the kids and they were really excited too. I set up the tent and got the campfire ready. The main creature comfort we use is: Two (2) full sized mattresses.

It may not be "roughing it" in the middle of nowhere but it works for us! Plus, as I was grabbing mattresses from upstairs I noticed how hot is was. We slept a lot cooler outside. My plan is to leave the tent in the same place for two nights and then move it to another spot in the lawn. If the rains come it only takes a few minutes to "break camp".

If you're interested in coming over to the Ismert Family Camp we'd love to have you. You could bring a tent or use one of our extras. We supply food, indoor plumbing, chickens, trampoline, pool and other fun. We'd love to have you.

Whew!

It is good news indeed. I'm not pregnant. I suppose that my tiredness is due to other issues.

Cheers
Michael

You know you're pregnant when...

Yesterday the family and I were leaving the house when Sunshine said to me, "You know you're pregnant when you feel like shutting down the house and going to bed at 4:30 in the afternoon".

I was immediately alarmed and considered my own tiredness and wondered if I might be pregnant too.

Indeed. I'll keep you updated if I find out any "good news".

Michael