Happy Thanksgiving

A year ago today, we learned from our family doctor that our youngest, Samson, who at the time was 6 months old may have craniosynostosis. This is a condition that touches 1 out of 2000 children. Real simply, it is the premature closing of the soft spots in the skull that for which babies are well known.

Looking back on this day to give thanks, I am humbled that 3 major blessings for which I am thankful are a direct result of some of the greatest trials in the Reinke life.

First, Samson did have craniosynostosis and for the next 5 months after that initial diagnosis, we faithfully hung onto Christ's comfort, power, and faithfulness to help us through the preparation, decisions, doctor's prognoses, and finally, surgery. Samson's life was saved. A wonderful and truly great journey as we saw God's hand in every huge and miniscule step of the way.

Second, Financial Peace University was a huge blessing. This was a financial class that put us on a track toward great...well...financial PEACE. Our finances are in our control now, not controlling us. Poverty is no longer in the horizon but in the past and our future goals are more reachable. God provided a way out, as He promises, for everyone that seeks His face in whatever area we need a way out. FPU put us on a hopeful journey for the future after years of struggling in poverty.

Third, we are thankful for our newest addition, Isabelle, a pure bred Yellow Labrador Retriever. She is the perfect addition to round out our family. Who knows what or who else God may add to our mix of Reinke members in the future. But, as many of you know. She came as a result of our four precious bunnies being attacked and killed by a 300+ pound bear! This happened in October of 2011. Isabelle will be our reason for a "Beware of Dog" scent to any creature that would like to violate our territory again.

We are thankful for much more, but these three things were telling as they prove that, "in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28). Wait after the trial, and you will witness wonder from the God of Wonder!

Happy Thanksgiving every one! May this celebration be all that God means for you.

Love,
The Reinkes
Bill, Amy, Aidan, Gracelyn, Jackson, Samson, and Isabelle

Merry Christmas

In this season of giving, we hope you first have received for your own lives the great joy and good news of Christ's birth as it was first announced to the shepherds, the greatest gift that has ever been given. ~ "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:10-11, 14) What a birth announcement!! Hallmark, stop yourself! In hearing this news, the shepherds responded in excitement, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened...When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child." (Luke 2:14, 16-20)

The shepherds were the first to hear the news of the birth of our Savior. Poor, humble, ordinary men just taking care of their sheep. Upon hearing it, these inconsequential, ordinary men received it, believed it, sought the Savior, and most importantly, they then praised God and shared what they had seen. If it weren't for their belief and praise, perhaps the message may not be alive today. A sad thought. We're humbled by the passion and faith of these shepherds. Such courage and motivation. They didn't hesitate because of embarrassment, guilt, pride, busyness, fear, or shame. They simply received, believed and sought.

Thankfully, God placed people in our life that shared the good news of Christ with us. And in response, we received, believed and sought Him to be the Lord of our lives. See, we're all following or worshiping something or someone. It can be our job, our kids, our home, our marriage, our car, our style, our social life. Or it can be God, our Creator himself, that we will choose to follow and worship. We can tell ya, we've worshiped all those things before one time or another and bar none...God is greater than anything this world has to offer. He fills, no, He overflows your cup every day if you let Him. He delights in doing so (Psalm 37:4). No longer must we search, no longer is the void, no longer is the striving, the reaching, the empty promise of better or the unfulfilled expectations. Life with Him goes above and beyond any results that have come from human striving. There is no such thing as "reaching", He is right here, present at all times. He fulfills all His promises. And what He delivers goes beyond any expectations one can even muster up. Some of the things He's done in our lives causes us to trip over ourselves with awe and speechlessness. No expectations are needed for He fulfills all needs before we even know we have them.

So this Christmas, we say "Merry Christmas!" And we genuinely pray that, like the shepherds, you may also receive, believe, and seek the truest and greatest gift of Christmas - Christ and His unfailing love for you. Our Creator, the Maker of heaven and earth came over 2000 years ago to the planet that He himself made. He did this humbly as a helpless babe in a manger to draw the hearts of His children toward Him by living a life and ministry of love. We pray you accept His gift of forgiveness and life as in your heart you choose to follow Him this year forward.

Now, no birth announcement can top that one! BUT...we too had a birth. Our latest addition to the Reinke clan arrived on May 19, 2010. In a few of our latest pictures below, you'll see our beautiful and very strong Samson David Reinke. He is a true delight. But it wasn't until about month 3 that he decided it was ok to stay out of mommy's tummy...torturing us with bad colic, staying in his cocoon all day (mom's body wrap!)...a "fourth trimester" for mom! Then, it wasn't until about 6 months (just last month) that he was willing to sleep through the noise and miss out on some stuff to take a daytime nap. Prior to this, he slept 20 minutes here, 20 minutes there...etc. Boy, were we tired! I think he finally realized he was too tired too and sleep became more important.

Also in the pictures are Aidan, 13; Gracelyn, 6; and Jackson, 4. All of them are infatuated with their little brother and in their own way have begun building strong bonds with him.

It was a great, albeit arduous, year for us. We painted the entire house from Jan to April. Had Samson in May, and have begun a more consistent homeschooling schedule for Gracelyn and Jackson back in September. All the "firsts" for Samson keep us excited and on our toes. And the fruit of staying home is truly seen in the hearts of my children, and for that we are grateful. The Marriage and Family Ministry that we direct at our church (Frederick Christian Fellowship) experienced tremendous growth resulting in increased demands on our time. However, we've been able to maintain our priority of our family by slowing down when needed, taking things off the calendar when necessary as we see overcommitment sneaking its way in.

And, our home just would not be the same without our dear bunny, Sparkle and the 11 fish we enjoy gazing at.

Enjoy the pictures and may God overwhelm you with His blessings this season and into 2011.

The RoseSniffer Children

(Rosesniffer is our "trail name")

Gracelyn, Jackson, Samson, Aidan

Jackson and Gracelyn setting up Christmas cooking factory, helping mom bake...one of our favorite things to do!

Gracelyn and Sparkle (formal name) Bun-Bun for a nickname, or Tom Sawyer????

Mom and our littlest man...can't even put Aidan in the "little" category since he towers over me by 6 inches and counting!

What a blessing! I can finally ge to all the dishes I own!

The Reinkes head out for our annual Christmas tree cutting expedition...

...was it seasonably chilly or unseasonably warm? It depends which brother you are asking!

Awaiting Samson...

Hello family and friends...welcome to our new blog! Just a quick note to inform all that we are in our final two weeks before Samson David makes his appearance into this beautiful creation of a world. Yes, our date of delivery to love on our 4th child is May 19th at 9:30AM (scheduled C-Section). Please keep us in your prayers as we and the children make preparations -- of heart, mind, and home -- for our newest little cherub. Love, Amy