May 14, 2006
Prayers Answered
Stacy flew home from Illinois Wednesday. She went to the doctor early Thursday morning. This doctor found that while the infection was severe, it was not in the bone. Over the past few days, we have seen the infected area turn pink with new skin! We are rejoicing in the Lord for His healing! God has answered our prayers, and many of yours. Thank you so much for your kindness to our family.
Today marked the first day in four weeks that we were able to worship at our home church. While we certainly enjoyed our time of travel, meeting new friends and seeing new sites, it was a blessing to return to the familiar surroundings of Katy, Texas. Our worship today was a joyful experience!
We will return to the road in a few weeks when we will head to Missouri to keynote the state homeschool convention. Stacy's foot should be completely healed by that time!
Posted by jm at 10:15 PM | Comments (5)
May 10, 2006
Update and Prayer Request
Monday of this week found us sitting in an ER in southern Wisconsin. We had been on the road for three and a half weeks, speaking at New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Michigan, as well as ministering at churches along the way. But an emergency has come up.
As background, my wife Stacy has no feeling in her left foot. Over a month ago, she injured her foot, but did not notice it until it became infected. Our doctor in Houston cleared out the area and prescribed an antibiotic.
We noticed the infection returning Thursday evening while at the INCH conference in Michigan. Stacy’s podiatrist called in a prescription of antibiotics Friday. At the Michigan conference Saturday, we met with a homeschooling mother who was also an ER doctor. She doubled the antibiotics and told us to watch the infection. Monday, while visiting with friends in Illinois, it looked worse than ever, which brought us to the hospital.
The doctor here believes Stacy’s foot infection has entered into her bone. She has recommended we return to Houston as soon as possible. Stacy, Tiffany and William will fly home today and go directly to Methodist Hospital in Houston for evaluation. The rest of us will take the long route home. Christa and Jessica will stay in Arlington to set up for the convention tomorrow and I will come home to be with Stacy.
This condition could be quite serious, but we are trusting in the Lord and His Sovereignty. We ask for your prayers.
We are thankful God allowed us to meet with and minister to so many families on this trip. This is not the way we would have seen it end, but we know God is in control.
Posted by jm at 07:15 AM | Comments (0)
May 02, 2006
2006 Travel Diary 3
Massachusetts to Canada!
Another quick update from the McDonald Clan!
God gave us a busy and meaningful conference in Massachusetts. Families came from across the state to be encouraged at the convention. Not only were we given many speaking opportunities, but God also gave us many ministry moments. We met and prayed with families with real needs. I also had many side meetings to discuss issues important to the new revival and reformation many of us are praying for – solid doctrine, family-integration, biblical worship. This was an enjoyable time!
Before the conference, we visited Old Sturbridge Village, a recreation of an early 1800’s community. A fascinating and relaxing walk. We learned some rather interesting facts, such as in the early 1800’s, 60% of the US population was made up of those under the age of 18. Today, this segment accounts for only 25% of the total population. Could it be we have forgotten Psalm 127?
On Sunday afternoon, we met with Stacy’s sister Michelle who lives in Boston. The children enjoy their Aunt Michelle and since she has not married and had the opportunity for children, she enjoys her nieces and nephews even more. Driving around Boston is a real test of faith! No one seems to appreciate the basics of defensive driving. Good thing we drive an E-350 (except when it comes to parking in Boston!).
Yesterday, we started west, deciding to cross into Canada, which cut many miles off the trip – and also off our travel weary van! Coming across the border was a bit of a challenge as we did not bring birth certificates. The immigration folks did not know what to make of this odd homeschooling family. But they begrudgingly let us in. We will stay here today, catching up on laundry and possibly seeing the Canadian side of Niagara.
Tomorrow we head for Michigan! That is, if the US Customs folk allow us to return.
Thank you all for your prayers!
Posted by jm at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2006
2006 Travel Diary 2
For details on where we will be, click here
Cool Days but Warm Hearts April 25
We are now two-thirds of the way through our New England tour, having first ministered to families in New Hampshire at the state homeschool conference. God gave us a number of opportunities to counsel with hurting and searching families as there are few churches in the region. I would encourage you to remember this area of our country in your prayers, that God would bring a new revival and reformation to the state of New Hampshire.
After speaking Saturday at the convention, we traveled down to New Hartford, Connecticut where I preached on Sunday at the Covenant of Grace Church to a group remarkably similar to our church at home. Some of the men even helped us reconnect our trailer fender, withstanding the wind and rain to bless this travel weary family! Thanks Ralph and Mark!
This is a beautiful part of the nation, with rolling hills and a variety of trees, hardwoods and pines. Winter is just releasing its icy grip on this country, allowing blossoms to just start to appear. Quaint little towns pepper the highways, full of curio shops and white puritan-style churches. There is a sense of antiquity here that we have not felt in many years. We also had the opportunity to enjoy fresh maple syrup on homemade pancakes. Quite a treat on a cool spring day!
Monday, Stacy and our older daughters shared with the women of the church how God has led them to the convictions they hold in our family. While the women met, we men played a vigorous game of “wiffle ball” with the children. It was a joy to run the bases with so many little blessings. But it also helped me remember how old I am getting, as my muscles ached after the game!
Today, I met with the men of the church for a breakfast meeting and again this evening, discussing how men can effectively lead in church and at home.
These have been wonderful times of refreshing and fellowship!
But, we do miss home. On the way back to the hotel tonight, little Emma commented, “I want to go to my home. I miss my bed!” I must admit, I miss home – and all of you – as well.
Posted by jm at 07:31 AM | Comments (2)
April 20, 2006
2006 Journey Travel Diary
For details on where we will be, click here
Day 2
Day 2 of our journey has brought us to Lexington, VA. This day has been a bit more eventful than we would have liked. We discovered hills and a heavy load of books are not a good combination, even for a Ford E350. Our brakes started to overheat and smoke as we headed downhill in Birmingham this morning.
We then experienced a heavy thunderstorm outside of Chattanooga. As we listened to the radio warn us of golf ball sized hail, we noticed it was hitting our windshield. Don’t worry, it’s still intact.
Just outside of Knoxville, we noticed our right trailer fender flapping in the wind. Pulling over to the shoulder on the Interstate, I managed to rescue the fender before it flew off and caused an accident. It’s now in the trailer resting atop a large load of books. We’ll try to get it repaired in New Hampshire.
We enjoyed a meal in Bristol, VA tonight. We purposely did not call anyone we knew in Bristol, since we are on a tight time schedule at this point. But just as we all piled out of the van, who did we meet up with in the parking lot, but Eric Owens, president of the Highland Study Center. He joined us for dinner and fellowship and we were able to catch up on the happenings in Bristol.
Other events in the day included Jessica discovering that her father is indeed brilliant and wise as he answered every riddle she presented to him. She stood amazed. It’s good to be dad.
And of course, we all enjoyed celebrating William’s first birthday today. He grinned and googled much of the day, so he must know it’s a special day for all of us.
Lord willing, we’ll make it to New Hampshire tomorrow and will drop you a line then. Thank you for your prayers.
Your Servant in Christ,
James
Day 1
It’s 7:30 p.m. and we’re just making it into Birmingham. For those who didn’t hear, we decided to spend Monday tying up loose ends and left early this morning. It was a fairly peaceful day with no mishaps greater than James forgetting to close the gas tank. Of course, as I am typing this, several children are crashing and burning. I guess it’s time to stop for dinner.
Exactly 36 miles from our front door, Emma hollered the ultimate question from the backset, “Daddy, are we almost there?”
In His Service,
Stacy
Posted by jm at 08:02 AM | Comments (0)
April 05, 2006
2006 Conference Schedule
Preparations are in full swing: clothing sorted, inventory counted, menus planned, reservations made, and most importantly for us as Southerners – the weather forecast checked! The pressure is mounting for our annual conference season pilgrimage!
This will be another busy year. We will be keynoting four state conventions and speaking at several others. In case you are located near any of these events and would like to stop by and say hello, here’s our line up…
Our first event, the Christian Home Educators of New Hampshire will be April 21-22, held at the Manchester First Assembly. We will be sharing some new messages, including “When Jack and Jill Grow Up,” a session giving parents tools and ideas to help their older children commit their ways to Christ and His call. I will also be preaching that weekend at Covenant of Grace Church in New Hartford, Connecticut.
We will then head to Massachusetts, for the 17th Annual MassHOPE convention at the Worchester Center, April 28-29. Our focus at this conference will be a number of talks aimed at encouraging families to remain committed to the homeschooling road, seeking God’s blessing of the outcome.
Turning our van west, our next stop will be the 23rd Annual Michigan Home Education Convention, May 5-6 located in Lansing. We are praying the Lord allows us to be used to encourage many precious families in that wonderful state.
We will then turn south yet again, rounding out this first conference swing by attending the Arlington Homeschool Bookfair, May 12-13, where we always enjoy meeting old friends and making new ones!
We will then rest at home, allowing me to preach at our home church, Family Reformation Church, and to attend our local convention, the Gulf Coast Home Education Conference, June 2-3. Our dear friend Chris Klicka, Senior Counsel of HSLDA will be the keynote. It is such a blessing to serve the homeschool community of Houston!
Then, off we go again. This time keynoting the 22nd annual CHEF (Christian Home Educators Fellowship) of Missouri, June 26-28 at the St. Charles Convention Center. This will also be a special time for us, as we spend time with friends at Covenant Family Church in Winfield, Missouri, where I will be preaching.
We then have two more conference swings. July 7-8 will find us again in Alabama, speaking at the CHEF (Christian Home Educators Fellowship) of Alabama, located in Birmingham. Our last homeschooling conference of the year will be back in Texas at the North Texas Home Educators’ Network in Grapevine, Texas, August 18 -19. Another favorite run by some of our friends and co-laborers in our state organization, the Texas Christian Alliance, this conference is always a good balance of Godly support and great resources for the family.
As we cross the States, Stacy and I would be blessed if you could try to stop by and say hello. We would love to hear from you personally on how we can better serve you, your family, and God’s Kingdom. We also covet your prayers. Please pray for the families who will be attending these conferences, that they would be encouraged as they labor in the trenches, answering God’s call to train their own children, and that His message would be received and families healed and transformed for His glory!
We are already getting requests for 2007. If you would like us to come to your state next year, pray your state organization will give us an invitation to speak. We look forward to fellowshipping with you!
Posted by jm at 06:16 PM | Comments (1)
August 24, 2005
He Keeps My Feet From Failling...
"For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling."
Psalm 116:8
This past week, my sons James (known as James the Hungrier, 22) and Caleb (known as Caleb of the Mountain, 8) were invited to go to one of our sister churches in California to support their 2005 Father-Son Conference. I was asked to share messages with those gathered on passing on a Godly heritage, raising sons, and the encouragement we can have by studying history.
Taking my sons along with me for this adventure in the California mountains was a joy! With the challenges of life we face, we do not often find time for this type of fellowship. In addition, James represented an opportunity for the men to test my words. He was peppered with questions about his upbringing and his commitment to the faith once delivered. I sat back listening to many of these conversations with a bit of unease. After all, my oldest son is his own man with his own thoughts, reflections and beliefs. While he is an active member of the church I pastor, not to mention my son, I was not going to commandeer these examinations, instead I listened in, looking at these providential dialogs as a sort of personal review. The men were pleased with James’ answers, proving once again that although I am by no means a perfect father, God is faithful to the desires of our hearts and has worked through my failings to help me raise a son who has received the Scepter of Faith.
Caleb likewise was inspected, his speech and manners were noted. Caleb is a typical 8 year old boy, with an admiration for mud puddles and a propensity for a good sword fight. Never one to back down from a challenge, Caleb threw himself wholeheartedly into every skirmish, swimming in 50 degree ponds and scaling hills and mountains with his new friends. At the end of our time together, one parent commented, “We have decided to send our children to you for a month to learn manners. No matter what we do, we can’t get them to say ‘Sir of Ma’am’ like Caleb does.”
One of our activities while away was the assault on a rock wall. At first, I sat with the other “elders” of the group, watching the younger set brave the heights. Then my son James donned the helmet and harness and climbed, or should I say sprinted, to the top of the wall. A few minutes later, Caleb, following the example of his older brother, achieved success by ringing the bell. Now, I had a moment of decision. Should I stay safe at the bottom of the wall or should I show my sons that Dad still can keep up? I chose to dare the wall.
I was not as fast as James; instead I worked the wall, testing foot and handholds to make sure I was secure before going on. At least I thought I was secure. Halfway up, my grip slipped and I fell. The picture shown is of me just before falling. Of course, I was secure by a harness, but I still slammed against the wall, receiving in my flesh a number of deep splinters as compensation for my foolhardiness. I reestablished my footing and worked to the top of the wall, completing my task.
This adventure reminded me of my fathering. My sons are both on their way to being fathers some day, men who will honor God and raise their own children to know the Savior. In essence, they will stand on my shoulders, practicing what they have seen me do. My efforts to raise them have not been faultless; I have certainly had parental missteps. But my goal has always been to see my children be better Christians than I, to live more honorably and consistently for the Lord. As I strived to show them Christ, I have certainly struggled and slipped, but the God who knows my heart is the God who keeps me from falling. He holds me in His Hands.
As we work to homeschool our children, teaching them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, let us always do so recognizing our true security, our only confidence, rests in knowing He keeps our feet from falling.
Posted by jm at 05:11 AM | Comments (1)
July 17, 2005
Fellowship Rest
After eight conferences in ten weeks, I am ready for a little sleep. It seems that we are home for just a few days when it is once again time to load the trailer and head to yet another conference. While we enjoy meeting so many of our friends and subscribers, we do seek rest.
Today, after our service at Family Reformation Fellowship, I had time to reflect a bit on this seemingly hectic year. For a sermon topic, the Lord brought me to the Third Book of John, where the apostle extolled the virtues of Christian hospitality. I was reminded as I preached of the many friends we have fellowshipped with this year, how gracious you have been, and how blessed we have been by being with you. Our time of fellowship has been a healing salve to the tired souls of the McDonald family.
Tomorrow we pack again for our first trip to Arizona. While I know the days will be long, I also know God will grant us yet again a heavenly rest in the friendships we find while so away from home.
Posted by jm at 10:21 PM | Comments (0)
June 12, 2005
A Conferencing We Will Go!
Exhibiting in Arlington and Winston-Salem, keynoting New York, speaking in Denver and San Antonio and heading to Virginia - oh how tired we are! But also how privileged to be able to meet and minister to so many of our friends, old and new. This has been quite a year so far, especially for the children. We have seen new sites like Niagra Falls, enjoyed reliving the history of the Pony Express, and refreshed friendships with the Perez and Arnold families in San Antonio, the Youngs in North Carolina, the Valines and Holdens in New York, the Borgans and Swansons in Colorado. And so many more!
Our plans are to be in Virginia this weekend, followed by Austin for the CHEACT conference, then the Alabama, Arizona and North Texas conferences. Please stop by and say hello if you can! We would love to meet and pray with you!
We are becoming experts at schooling on the road, writing and editing on laptop computers, and running our ministry over cell phones. Please remember us in prayer, that the Lord would strengthen us for His service and protect us as we travel the highways of this great nation!
I hope you enjoy this precious picture of Stacy, Emma and the young William Alexander during our booth set up in Arlington.
Posted by jm at 11:02 PM | Comments (2)