Giving Thanks

November 28th, 2008 by Mariah

As I sit here this Thanksgiving morning, I am humbled at all I have to be thankful for. It has really been a tough year. But through God’s grace and mercy I believe that each member of our family has grown in our faith and that we have grown closer as a family.

As I look back to January’s posts on this blog. We were overjoyed to know that we were expecting a baby. I was consumed with all the details. Should I give birth in a hospital or birth center? How will Tyler do with another sibling? Brandon? What will my baby look like? I imagined everyday what it would be like to hold my baby, snuggle him or her.. And we had Tyler’s birthday. My “baby” turned two. He was just starting to talk to the point you could understand. I was loving being a mom. Brandon and Tyler were getting along well. Shaun and I were happy. All the world was right.

As if it couldn’t get any better, in February, the Hussey family moved to Idaho. I don’t know who was more excited, the kids or the adults. The Husseys were at our house or we were at their house at least once a week. Most of the time, it was 2 or 3 times per week. The cousins were together, and the “Bucksseys” were born.

Then in March we lost baby Riley. God chose to take our baby to be with Him. What devastation! I could never have imagined a hurt like that! But, in hindsight, I could have never imagined the grace that would be so evident. The Hussey’s had been here for 1 month. Before that, we had no one. No family. Nothing. We had a friend or two, but when a tragedy happens to you, you want your family. God supplied family for us just when we would need it the most! There was also grace knowing our Lord and Savior through all of this. I don’t know how anyone could survive something like this without Christ. While it still hurts, I am so thankful that our baby’s days were clearly “written in His book.” God, in his sovereignty, had a plan for our precious baby. His plan was for our baby to be conceived and for me to have the pleasure of carrying him or her for only a short time. God’s plan had always been for Riley to go from my womb straight to Heaven. Never having to endure the trials, pain and hardships of this world. I am thankful for that.

I am also thankful for healing. This year I had a D&C, I broke my foot and I broke my thumb. I am thankful that God designed our bodies the way that He did. I am so thankful for healing!

I am also thankful for the right to home school Brandon here in Idaho. Brandon has been a blessing this past year. (he is every year, but especially this past year!) I am sad that we didn’t get to talk to him today. We called but couldn’t reach him. :( I hope that he knows how much he is loved. We miss him and can’t wait for him to come home! I am thankful that Brandon knows the Lord and that he was baptized last month. I am thankful that he loves his dad and that they have a great relationship. I am thankful that he got to spend Thanksgiving with his mom, brothers and step dad. I pray a fun and great time for memories!

I am thankful for my relationship with my husband. He and I have always been close, but I believe that through the trials this year; we have become even closer. He is my best friend in the whole world. There is not another whom I love more. I am thankful for how hard he works for our family. I am thankful for the fun we have together. I am thankful that we are content to watch tv together at home or to go to the movies.. Whatever. We just have fun. I am thankful for the man that God is creating in my husband. And I am thankful for his sillieness. he makes me smile and I love that.

I am thankful for Tyler. He is a wild and crazy boy who challenges my patience every day, but makes me laugh and smile 2x more. Tyler is all grown up - if you ask him. He can go potty by himself (for the most part) and I am thankful for that! He loves his mommy, daddy and big brother so much. I am thankful that we have started preschool and Tyler loves it. He is a smart boy who craves knowledge. I pray that that never ends. I pray that my boy grows to know our Savior. I am thankful for our family.

I am also thankful for our newest baby. I am due somewhere around July 19th. I am loving carrying this baby. Although I can not really feel any of the positive aspects of pregnancy yet, I am simply thankful for the privledg to be expecting another gift from God. I love this baby so much. I can not wait to meet him or her. I pray that God’s plan includes us meeting our baby and that he or she will grow up to know Him.

I am so thankful this year. I am thankful for my God. Without Him, there would be nothing for which to give thanks. I feel so blessed. My prayer is that my family and I remember all the blessings that God gives us each day. That we are thankful and we do not take them for granted.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted in Brandon, Life in Idaho, My Hubby, Pregnancy, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler, cousins, homeschool || No Comments

Cousins Camp November 2008

November 23rd, 2008 by Mariah

Cousins Camp was a success again this time around. The kids seem to have so much fun with all the things planned. I usually keep all activities a secret from them all until the day of. This time was no different. We went to the park and had a pizza picnic. We made homemade Carmel apples, played games, told stories, licked giant jawbreaker until their tongues bled, made a few crafts, watched a movie and the kids stayed up late talking. Unfortunately we were not able to have the babies participate this time. Hopefully next time. I love planning and doing cousins camp with all the kids. I don’t know who has more fun.. me or the kids??

LOVE YOU ALL! XOXO

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Tonight

November 19th, 2008 by Mariah

Tonight, Tyler and I were unfortunate enough to witness a terrible accident involving 2 cars and an overturned semi truck. We were coming out of Kohls from doing a bit of shopping when we heard the deafening sound of Crash, Crash, Crash!!! It was awful! The sky was filled with smoke and people were jumping out of their cars and running to try and help wounded drivers. The semi truck was loaded with lumber, building materials and diesel fuel. When the truck overturned, there was more of the same sickening sound.. Crash! Crash! The load was flying off the truck.

Tyler and I were literally just a parking lot away from the wreck. All I could do was hold my baby, cry and stare in disbelief. He was shaking and very scared from all the sounds. Through this horrible accident a beautiful thing happened.. I explained to Tyler that some people over there have very big ouchies and that we need to pray for them. So there we stood, in the parking lot of Kohl’s, in the background of something terrible, and we prayed. We asked God to protect the people in the crash, we thanked God that he spared us from being involved, and we prayed that little eyes in the vehicles driving by would not see anything graphic. As we ended our prayer, Tyler said, “Mommy, we gotta go help those peoples.” My brave little man! What could he do? But in the midst of his fear, my two year old little guy wanted to go help.

Tyler couldn’t understand why mommy wouldn’t take him to go help those peoples. As I buckled him into his car seat, he decided that he was going to appeal to a higher authority than mommy. He wanted to call Daddy. So we did. Daddy did not answer his phone. That got Tyler even more worked up. Now he was afraid for Daddy. He asked if we could pray for Daddy. As we pulled up to the stoplight, we held hands and Tyler prayed that his Daddy was safe. He also prayed for all the people in the accident, once again.

Daddy called us back within a couple of minutes and Tyler told the whole story. When I spoke with Shaun I was trying to choke back tears. I told him that I was sure that people had died in that accident. When we arrived home we prayed as a family (minus 1) for the victims of the crash. We were also so very thankful that we were safe!!

As I sit hear writing this now, I am amazed. God is AWESOME!! The news reported that only 1 person was sent to the hospital with MINOR injuries. I don’t know how this is possible. There is only 1 way to explain it - God. He is truly amazing! I am also amazed with my son. God used tonight to show me two things: #1 - life is short. You never know when He will call us home. Love, appreciate and hold your loved ones near! #2 - God is in control. As cars are practically still spinning from the violent crash, Tyler and I were pleading to Him for their lives. God used this situation to show me what the faith and innocence of a child really look like. As soon as we ended our prayer, my little man was ready to go and help. Pray 1st, help second. According to Tyler, what else was there to do? And if I wouldn’t let him, he would appeal to Daddy. He knew in his mind what was right and he wanted to do it! What a brave boy! What a wise boy! I love him so much!

Heavenly Father, you know all things. You had tonight’s events orchestrated according to your perfect plan. Thank you Lord! Thank you for the lives you spared tonight! Thank you for keeping us safe! Thank you for reminding me that I need to continue to disciple my children. Thank you for showing me what a childlike faith is. I love you Lord. Thank you!

Matthew 18:1-4 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

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Jesus Said…

November 11th, 2008 by Mariah

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

This weekend was one I will not soon forget! Brandon Shaun Buck made a public profession of his faith by being baptized at All Saints PCA in Boise Idaho. Carol, Brandon’s grandma, flew from California to share in this special time. There were so many people there to love and support Brandon in this important time. We had a celebration lunch for him after church and there were 25 people who came to rejoice with us. Shaun and I could not be more proud! Brandon is such a sweet and tenderhearted young man. He has known the Lord from a very young age. God, in His infinite wisdom, orchestrated the enrollment of Brandon at a Christian school despite the fact we were not Christians. You see, Shaun and I justified it by saying, “well, it is the best school around.” What God had is store for Brandon was not mere academics, but a saving faith in Him. Praise God for that!

Brandon has struggled with shyness his whole life. Although it is far better than it used to be, it is still a bit of a struggle for him. But this weekend was not about Brandon’s comfort, it was about pleasing the Lord. And I believe that Brandon did that! Brandon mentioned that he was nervous about going before the congregation, but he never once, wavered in his decision. You see, Brandon’s desire was to serve and to publicly declare his love and admiration to God. I am proud of the sacrifice Brandon made of his temporary comfort in light of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us.

What is baptism and what does it mean? Well, the act of being baptized is the outward expression of the decision to follow Jesus Christ. It is the first step of obedience in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Baptism is the time that a person uses to publicly identify himself with Jesus Christ. Baptism alone, does not save you and it does NOT complete your salvation. But, it is symbolic of the forgiveness and cleansing that Christ provided for you in His death and resurrection. Therefore baptism follows one’s profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

If baptism can’t save you, then what can? One word – the gospel. What’s the gospel? I’ll put it in a sentence.

The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy.

That’s the gospel.

You Can’t Outgrow the Gospel

You never, never, never outgrow your need for it. Don’t ever think of the gospel as, “That’s the way you get saved, and then you get strong by leaving it and doing something else.”

No! We are strengthened by God through the gospel every day, till the day we drop.

You never outgrow the need to preach to yourself the gospel.

How the Gospel Strengthens

Here’s an illustration, and I use it not because it’s any big deal to speak from my life, but because it’s what I walked through and where I most pointedly in the last year experienced the power of the gospel to make me strong. (Many of you are walking through things much heavier than prostate cancer—much heavier.)

Do you remember the verses that I shared with you back in February that were almighty for me? It was that moment right after the doctor says, “I think we need to do a biopsy,” when this stab of fear comes. It didn’t last long, mercifully.

And then came—what? 1Thessalonians 5:9-10. It’s just as pure gospel as you can get.

God has not destined you for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,who died for you so that whether you wake or sleep you will live with him.

Settled. Peace like a river.

The Gospel Is Perfect for Your Needs

That’s just gospel—perfectly timed, perfectly applied, perfectly suited to my need. That’s why the Bible is so thick—because there are so many different needs that you have. And there are suitable places where the gospel is unfolded for you, so that if you immerse yourself in the whole book, always with an eye for what Christ has wrought for you and purchased for you in this thick, glorious history of God’s interaction with people, he will give you what you need.

Therefore, everything in me says, and I hope to say until the day I die, “Now, to him who is able to strengthen me, according to Paul’s gospel, to him—to that God—be glory forever and ever.”

God came into history in Jesus Christ; he died in order to destroy the power of hell and death and Satan and sin; and he did it through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A Plea to Believe

I know that there are people reading this who are not trusting Jesus Christ, and therefore can only expect condemnation. So I’m just going to plead with you here at the end, lay down that rebellion. Lay it down. And simply embrace the gospel that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Righteous One, died for your sins. He was raised on the third day, triumphant over all his enemies. He reigns until he puts all of his enemies under his feet. Forgiveness of sins and a right standing with God comes freely through him alone, by faith alone.

I plead with you, don’t try to be strong in your own strength; it will not be there when you need it. Only one strength will be there—the strength that God gives according to the gospel.

Don’t put it off.

[This text is an edited transcript of the audio. It is excerpted from the sermon, “God Strengthens Us by the Gospel.”] By John Piper www.desiringgod.org

The reason for the long quote and the detailed description of the gospel is that I know there are some reading this now, who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Know this.. We (the Buck family) love you. We beg you, don’t put it off!

Brandon’s decision to be baptized was his decision. Not one that we made for him. He was nervous. He understands what it means and he understands his call.. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was he replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is our prayer for Brandon as he continues his walk with the Lord. Congrats Brandon, we love you and we are proud of you. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this very special time with you!

Father God, We praise you Lord for your faithfulness. Thank you for choosing our precious boy as your son. We pray that he continues to be strengthened in his faith and walks with you his whole life. Please give him the wisdom to turn to you in times of trouble, in times of peace and all the time. Please give us the wisdom as his parents, to instruct him in your ways. Above all else, we thank you for your son’s sacrifice that we can be with you one day in heaven. Thank you Lord for my family. Thank you for Brandon.

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Why Obama was NOT the right choice?

November 5th, 2008 by Shaun

Why is Obama not the right choice for America?

Obama was a US Senator for less that 2 years before he started his run for President. In short he lacks experience.

Obama holds many socialist views for example, he wants to tax the wealthy more and simply give the money to poor people who already don’t pay any income taxes. He wants universal health care. Many places around the world have universal health care and it sucks. He wants to tax anything he deems as unclean energy to offset global warming which now studies are starting to show is a bunch of bull. He wants open boarders and he wants to allow the 10 million plus people who broke our laws and came to the country the opportunity to stay. In his eyes its ok to reward bad behavior, like breaking our laws.

Some other issues and items I disagree with him on are

He wants abortion on demand
The democrats feel a big federal government is better (I’m for smaller government and working hard to become successful)
Obama is a big supporters of unions which is bad for business
Some of his associations have been very very questionable
His party strongly supports a “Fairness Doctrine” which will allow government to monitor the radio and TV airways and require a station to give equal time to both sides of an issue. This is not only violates the 1st amendment of our constitution (which is the freedom of speech) but is an effort to take away the one area of the media that conservatives control over liberals.

Finally between Clinton and Bush this country is BANKRUPT we can’t afford a tax and spend type of guy and Obama is proposing no less than 1 trillion in new spending over the next 10 years and since the government is involved I’m sure that number is on the low side.

What I hope is going to happen with Obama as President.

I hope that Obama is going to be a great President.
I hope Obama will unite us as a country.
I hope that Obama is going to protect the American way and not see his election as a mandate for radical change in this country.
I hope that Obama is going to cut wasteful spending and only minimally increase taxes.
I hope that Obama can keep us safe.
I hope Obama is not going to try and turn us into a socialist country.
I hope at the end of 4 or 8 years I can say Obama was a good President and I was wrong about him.

Shaun

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Cute

November 3rd, 2008 by Mariah

I am planning on updating this post with all the cute and funny things that Tyler says.

11/3/08 I asked Tyler if he could count to four. (He TOTALLY knows how to do this) he said, “Yes I can…. five, four, three, two, one…. YELLOW! I guess yellow is still a favorite?!

11/2/08 On the way to church, Shaun was singing a silly song (as usual) and being goofy. Out of nowhere, Tyler says, “Daddy, you’re a FREAK!”

10/31/08 This morning Tyler got up and had to use the bathroom. While he stood there taking care of business, he passed gas. A lot of gas! He turned to me and said, “Mommy, I have a little problem with tooties today.”

10/27/08 While getting Tyler changed out of his night time diaper and into his undies he wouldn’t turn and look at me. I asked him to turn toward me so I could put his pants back on. He replied, “I will look at you in one minute mommy. I have to wait ’till I’m so handsome with my undies.”

10/25/08 When asked why he was in his room crying, Tyler replied “The peoples ate my cheese and crashed our car.” Hmmmm?

He trys to say “yeah” but it comes out as “yo” For example: Me - Tyler, do you want a snack? Tyler - “yo”

Me - Ty, is your answer yes or no? Tyler - yes and no

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Halloween

November 1st, 2008 by Mariah

I can’t believe that Halloween has already come and gone. This year is flying by!! We had a very nice Halloween. Brandon decided to opt out of trick or treating this year. He celebrated Reformation Day with is cousins. He can not say enough about the fun he had!!

Shaun and I took Tyler trick or treating. Tyler was a very cute “puppy Ty.” The first door that we knocked on was having a kids Halloween party. Tyler saw children inside and invited himself in. From that house on, Tyler thought that he was supposed to go INTO each house. The other cute and funny thing was that each time he got candy, he would run up to me, bend down and look into his bucket and say “YES, it works!” How excited he was. All you have to do is say trick or treat and you get candy.

However, there was the occasional door that took to long to be answered. If you took more than 3 or 4 seconds to come to the door, Tyler was ringing the doorbell again! And again! One of the doors took about 30 seconds to be answered, so Tyler decided to try and open the door himself and go in after them. He was a lot of fun!

All in all, he did well. He got some candy and had a great time. We caught up with our neighbors out trick or treating with their TRIPLET 3 year olds and another neighbor with their 2 kids. Tyler really loved having all the kids around that were his size. When we came home and dumped his candy onto the floor for examination, he let out a squeal of joy. Oh how fun it is to be the mom of a 2 year old!

Posted in Brandon, Life in Idaho, The boys, Thoughts by Mariah, Tyler || 1 Comment