Our Miracle for Today

Okay, so I've officially lost it. It is MIDNIGHT and I am blogging! But I know that I cannot go to sleep without sharing God's amazing, tangible miracle He just gave me. But first, the background to the story:

We went to Indianapolis for a wedding the first weekend in October. When we got home, we discovered that the pilot light in our boiler, which in turn heats the house, had blown out. So, we relit it and went on with life. Well, this pilot light has become the bane of our existence. At least 2, if not 3, times a week, we discover that it has gone out. Usually in the evening, when I realize that I'm really cold. And usually when we're ready to go to bed. So, we relight it and move on. Please understand, Jerome & I know very little, if anything about boilers. We only know that, in order for our house to be warm, the little blue flame has to be there.

Tonight, the pilot light went out AGAIN! ARGH!!! I am so frustrated with this thing! I relight it, only to discover an hour later that it is out. I relight it again, to no avail. By this time, it's bedtime. So, we decide to let it be for a while. I read in bed while Jerome fell asleep.

About a half-hour ago, I got up to try it again. Nothing. The pilot would light, but wouldn't stay lit. Again. Nothing. Again. Nothing. At this point, I simply sit in our "utility" room, and cry. I am so ticked off at God that I tell Him so (for those of you who are wondering - yes, that is ok). I'm learning how to truly express myself with my Daddy, so I let Him have it with both barrels. How can Madison get well (she has a massive case of croup) if I can't keep the house warm? How are we supposed to keep the house warm in the winter? We have a fireplace, but I am very allergic to smoke. Why can't we just get one little break? Don't you think we've been through enough lately? Does one more thing have to break that we can't afford to fix? WHY?

Then, I try one last time. I have already decided that I will get the portable heater from downstairs for our room, & put extra blankets on the girls if this doesn't work. I told God, "Look, right now, my faith is about nil. I have been through so much crap (yes, I feel this is an appropriate use of this word, considering the situation) lately, I need to know that You are still there for us. Please Lord, just one tangible evidence that You care." And I tried, one last time. AND IT STAYED LIT! AND IT TURNED ON WHEN I FLIPPED THE ELECTRICITY SWITCH! AND THE TEMPERATURE & PRESSURE GAUGES ROSE! AND IT'S STILL LIT (yes, I just checked)!

And I just recalled going through the very same situation with our well last winter during the huge snowfalls. And God miraculously fixed our well. And He can miraculously fix our boiler. And He can miraculously fix me. And that's the best part! Have a miraculous day!

In Honor of Our Pastors

While I was creating my "Thankful Thursday" list, I realized just how grateful I am for the pastors of our church - ALL OF THEM! Because, husbands & wives have to be a team in ministry for it to succeed. And these couples have succeeded! So, since I know that at least one member of each pastor household is a blog addict, I would like to take the time to honor each of them. I encourage you to do the same...

Pastor Dwight:

I cannot even begin to imagine the emotional & spiritual challenges you have faced on a daily basis since coming here. But, I am so grateful that you continue to face those challenges head-on, unafraid. You lead our church with passion, integrity, & committment. You have & continue to challenge our family to strive towards Christ and His calling for us. Thank you for preaching the truth, no matter what.

Pastor Linn:

Thank you for being transparent. You have shared so much of your life with us. You are who you are, in every circumstance. You don't beat around the bush, and you don't play games. You continue to challenge me to be consistent in my relationships, to give honor where honor is due, & to show respect to people, even when they may not deserve it. You have challenged me to look at myself through my Daddy's eyes, & I will forever be grateful for that revelation. You are amazing!

Pastor Seth:

I am so grateful you & Maria came to Durango with Dwight & Linn. You have challenged me to let go of my compulsive, organized side for a while & just go where the Spirit leads. You lead with passion & love. You are an encourager, constantly seeking to bring out the Spirit's gifts in people. Thank you for seeing the gifts in me. My heart is both overjoyed & broken to see you go to SF. I will miss serving with you, but I know you will accomplish great things there. Thank you for encouraging me to look beyond the walls of our church, & challenging me to serve, even when I may not "feel" like it.

Maria:

I love you, girlfriend! I really feel that God brought me a kindred spirit when you & Seth came here. You are an example of how to bring balance to relationships. You serve wherever you are needed, whenever you are needed. You have shown that, yes, women can be passionate about sports! Before you came, I thought I was the only one! You have taken all of the "God" surprises in your life, & thrived. I will miss you so much when you leave... Thank you for speaking the truth, even when it hurts. Thank you for enouraging me, & helping me to see God in EVERY circumstance!

Benjie:

Wow, what a joy you are to my life! You are a bringer of joy to everyone you meet. People cannot help but smile when they are around you. I have so much respect for the passion you show - you wear your heart for God & Megan on your sleeve! You have shown me that the only things you really need in this life are your relationships. I have watched you walk by faith in so many situations - you encourage my faith every day. You have challenged me to seek God everyday, in every place. Thank you for helping me see Him! And, by the way, the Lakers will never compare to the Suns!

Megan:

Thank you for becoming a prayer warrior. You have challenged me that prayer is so much more than most people realize - that an intimate, personal relationship build on trust & conversation is possible with the Ultimate Creator. Thank you for being willing to serve, wherever in the world God calls. Thank you for challenging me to follow my dreams, & to discover what those dreams are. You, like Benjie, are examples of faith giants to me. Seeing God provide in amazing ways for you, because of your faith, has encouraged me to trust my Daddy for those "faith mountains" in my life. I pray that my girls follow their Heavenly Daddy like you have - in absolute faith & trust!

Mark:

Oh Mark, my friend, my absolute opposite! Thank you for stealing me from Children's Ministry so many years ago. You sparked a passion for young people that I wish I could explain. You challenge me to think outside the box, to let go of myself & my desire for control, & to just have fun with life. Thank you for consistently hearing & following God, even when it didn't make sense at the time. Your "hat" at the church has changed a few times throughout the years, but your passion & commitment to God's people hasn't. Thank you for taking Jerome under your wing so many years ago, & not letting him go. You have helped to shape him into the man he is today, and in the future. You & Jill have challenged me to never give up, & to never lose hope. You have held Jerome & I up when we could not stand on our own. I am eternally grateful to God that He gave us such amazing friends & traveling partners for this journey.

Jill:

My sunshine, my friend, my challenger, my encourager, my JillyBean! I love you so much! You have seen the best in me, even when I couldn't. You have taught me so much about biblical counseling, prayer, accountability, true friendship, motherhood, life as a wife, life in ministry, integrity, etc., etc., etc. Thank you for never giving up on me, even when I tried, in my times of depression, to push you away. Thank you for pushing harder. Thank you for loving me in my ugliest times & seasons. Thank you for "rejoicing when they rejoice, and weeping when they weep". You have been there for us, and me, no matter what. I pray that someday I am able to return to you even half of what you have given me.

Adam:

How far we have come! Thank you that, even when we didn't get along, we were able to love each other through Jerome. Thank you for loving & encouraging him. I, as a wife, can only do & say so much. The love of a brother is so strong! Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for listening to the calling of God on your life, & obeying. Your time as the youth pastor has encouraged & challenged me like no other time in my Christian walk. Your teaching & leading of the Well has pushed me to strive towards Christ with reckless abandon. You continue to challenge me in integrity, transparency, and honesty. You have pushed me to do things that were uncomfortable, but necessary for my growth. Thank you for getting me out of the kitchen, too! I wish I could convey in words what your leadership has meant for my walk - all I can say is that I am closer to God & more confident in His calling on my life now than I have ever been, and I know that a great portion of that has come from you. Thank you!

Kristin:

I had to save you for last, because I knew that if I started with you, I would be crying so hard (at work, no less) that I wouldn't be able to continue. I cannot express my gratitude to God for bringing you into Adam's life. I will never, as I have told you before, be able to forget the first description I heard about you, from Jerome. "I think I just met our sister-in-law". Jerome is not known for his immediate confidence in situations, so the fact that he said that spoke volumes to me. I know that Adam had started the journey back to God when you met, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that it has been your influence in his life that has led him this far. You have challenged us to seek God's plan for us, no matter what anyone else says. While we have had our challenges in our relationship, there is no doubt in my mind you will be there for us, no matter what. You have shown me that it is okay to say no, and to serve where God has called you. Thank you for continuing to serve on the worship team after Pax was born - what an example that children are a continuation of the ministry, not the end! Thank you for being my sister. Thank you for leading the youth with integrity, & encouraging the leaders to challenge students in their integrity. Thank you for not standing behind Adam, but alongside. Thank you for showing me what a strong woman in ministry looks like. Thank you for loving my children - there are few people on this earth that matter more to them than Uncle Adam & Aunt Dub! I love you, now & forever, my sister & friend!

Thank you, all of you, for what you do. You inspire, challenge, encourage, & lead me towards Christ every day. Thank you for sharing your lives with me. I am grateful for all of you!

Thankful Thursday...

Our amazing senior pastor's wife, Linn, has started a blogging tradition of "Thankful Thursdays". Check out her amazing blog at http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com and find the "How About Thankful Thursdays" post. She has inspired me in so many ways, & this is just one of them. So, to continue that tradition, here is what I am thankful for today.

1. My amazing husband Jerome, who has somehow managed to both endure & thrive in being married to me, the world's most stubborn woman. He has figured out, with God's help, how to lead our family in a godly, righteous manner that amazes me every day!
2. That God has gotten us through literally a year with virtually no income. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that He is the only reason we have made it. He has provided for us in so many creative ways, that on those days when I don't see how we are going to be able to make it, I just have to look at what He has already done and trust.
3. My three gorgeous girls, that the doctors said we probably would never be able to have.
4. My amazing friend Jo, who loves & cares for Madison & Violet while I have gone to work full time. It is such a blessing to know that, if my children cannot be with me all day, they are with someone who loves them almost as much as I do.
4. Our parents - Jean-Pierre & Rebecca and Tom & Teresa. While we may not always see eye-to-eye, I know that they will always be there for us.
5. Friends who have been, and will always, be there for me.
6. Espresso
7. Our pastoral staff at our church. Each and every one of them is called by God to serve in our church for this season. It is an honor to serve under them. They are all, also, caffeine addicts as well. They understand why espresso came 1st!
8. Crisp fall mornings in the mountains, where the only sound is the rustle of the leaves on the oak brush.
9. Lake Powell - what a cool idea God gave someone! I LOVE IT!
10. Our home - we have truly been blessed!
11. Espresso
12. The color purple
13. Our home group. We have been blessed with an amazing group of people who, over the last two years, have become dear friends. There is a verse in the Bible that talks about friends who will "be closer than a brother". I know that is true with them. We have been through a lot together. I am so grateful to share life with them.
14. Tulips & daffodils in the spring
15. Espresso
16. That all my crazy blogging friends got me sucked into this addiction! What an amazing way to share life!

I pray a Thankful Thursday for each and every one of you!

Didn't Make the Cut

Sunday afternoon, we went to my parents' ranch to take pictures. I have a hard time paying $250 for photos, not knowing whether or not my children will cooperate. Instead, we enlisted the help of Grandma & Grandpa, the free party entertainers, and the use of Grandpa's new fancy camera. We were able to get quite a few really cute photos, but there were a few that didn't quite do it. I just can't delete them - they could provide excellent blackmail during the teenage years. Enjoy!

"Ow Mom - the sun is too bright!"

"No, I do not want to look at the camera!"

"Maybe they won't notice if I dig just a little..."


At this point, Katrina was done with the whole picture thing. She just wanted to go hunting...

Do you have any idea how hard it is to get 3 little girls to all look at the camera & smile all at the same time? No wonder Carol photoshops everything!

Don't worry, just to be fair, I will post those few pictures that were great. We did get some good ones!

Hard Core Republicans!

So, following in the footsteps of all the other crazies, here's my thoughts about Friday night's rally:

1. I was so blessed to be able to participate in what I consider to be one of our country's highest callings - democracy.

2. I was blessed to be able to see those who were demonstrating against John McCain. It gives me faces to go along with prayers.

3. I was blessed to begin to show my children that, when you believe passionately in something, it should not matter who knows.

4. I was blessed to see my children start to become passionate about their beliefs.

All in all, I was blessed! What an amazing evening! We stood in line for FOREVER, but were actually able to get in. When we got there, my dad, who had been there since 1:30 found us & tried to take us to where the rest of our group was. It ended up being too tight & uncomfortable for the kiddos, so we stepped back out of the crowd and stood next to the track - still really close! When Sen. McCain arrived, Katrina & Madison were swept up in the excitement, waving their signs & yelling "We love McCain". It amazes me that my children can understand & accept so much easier than many adults. Listening to the senator from SC, then Cindy McCain, then Sen. John McCain, I was struck by the fact that we should not be amazed that he and Sarah Palin are encountering such stiff opposition. The Bible tells us that, when we fight for Biblical principles, we will face opposition. Friday night simply cemented in my mind the need to go to war in the spiritual for this country. And, in the spirit of the blogging world, here's the photographic evidence that our family really is a bunch of hard core republicans!

I HATE POOP!!!!!!!

SPOILER WARNING: IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH, OR JUST DO NOT APPRECIATE BODILY DISCUSSION CONVERSATIONS, DO NOT READ THIS POST!

Our family time has always seemed to revolve around poop. From Katrina's first poop as an infant (the power shot across the room) to the ever-popular "Poo-poo come out!"call to Madison's present left on the playroom floor, we've had our fair share of entertainment. But NOTHING compares to tonight's adventure:

So, most of you know that while Jerome was in France, Violet developed the wonderful, nasty habit of pooping in the bathtub! SHE NEVER POOPED IN THE BATHTUB UNTIL DADDY WAS GONE! SO FUN! So, I got to shower all three girls multiple times throughout the week. You can imagine how popular this was with Madison...

Well, Jerome came home and, since then, Violet stopped. Of course. Before we put them in the bath tonight, Madison both pooped & pee-ed on the toilet! Yeah, happy potty moment! We had a celebration involving gummy bears, then put them in the bath. I went in to wash them a little later & found that Violet's lovely habit has continued! So, we got all the girls out & started the shower. While I washed Katrina, Jerome was cleaning the poop out of the bathtub and Madi and Violet were supposed to be sitting nicely in our room. Not so much...

I got Katrina out & grabbed Violet, who was in the bathroom. I didn't even look at Madi. I should have. I should have covered her in plastic before leaving her alone. Katrina yelled something to me while I was in washing an unhappy Violet, something I could not understand. But Jerome understood. He now wished that he had been smart & pretended like he was suddenly deaf. He came into our room to find Madison literally covered in her own poop. She had had diarrhea, which stuck to her behind, then ran down her legs into a puddle under her feet. She then must have touched it with her hands, because it was all over her chest, stomach, arms, & face. And, oh yes, she put her fingers in her mouth!

Violet has never been washed faster! I got her out & carried Madi into the shower. While Jerome was dry-heaving cleaning up the poop on the floor, I was dry-heaving cleaning up the poop on the daughter. And, we both forgot that Violet was naked. She proceeded to pee on the carpet. At that point, the only thing we could do was laugh.

Once the poop was gone, and the girls smelled like little girls again, and not a septic tank, we took this photo. Proof that all is, once again, well in the Bleger House.

Right after we took this photo, Madison hugged each of us and said, "I had poo-poo out my chubbies. It was yucky. You cleaned me. Thank you." Okay, it was worth it.

I have had a new realization about my Heavenly Father. I have to wonder how many times I have spiritually covered myself in diarrhea, then stood frozen in panic, screaming for my Daddy. I have to wonder how many times my loving Daddy has cleaned me up, laughing & dry-heaving to Himself, because there is nothing else He can do about it. And I, just like Madison, can do nothing but say, "It was yucky. You cleaned me. Thank you."

Havin' Some Fun!

Okay, so this whole blogging thing could end up being pretty cool. Here's some cute pics from the last few weeks:

Violet & her friend Hannah at Hannah's first birthday party.

Madison & Papa at cousin Wendy's wedding last weekend.


The married Bleger siblings with Grandpa Blume in Indianapolis.

Madison surveying her future domain?

The other night, we were eating dinner together, & talking about "the olden days". Well, I meant olden as in the Wild West, 1800s, etc. Katrina apparently had a different idea. She said, "You mean, the olden days, like the 70's?" AHH! Don't tell me I'm getting that old that quickly! Just a thought for all you children of the 70's - Katrina thinks you're old!

This is a test... this is only a test... and who's the cute baby?

Okay, so we'll see how well this works. I've had this account since August, but promptly forgot my user id & password. I wanted to explore this brave new world of blogging, since it seemed like everyone else in the known universe had one. So much for round one!

Round Two:

I have actually set up my blog, and look, I'm posting something! Round of applause for me! But, now I need to fix the pictures. Please tell me this gets less complicated!

Anyways, I hope you have fun sharing in the adventures of our chaos. We, as a family, have a ton of fun, and I can't wait to be able to share & remember it. Enjoy!