Schools Out, New Baby, One Year....

Life just keeps on going... 

On May 8th, three weeks before Henry was due, my water broke and life outside the womb began for our baby boy. We weren't expecting to have a baby that early and it definitely took everyone here on the ranch by surprise. But thanks to the amazing staff out here and the perfect timing of The Lord everything worked out perfectly! 

Shortly after we returned from maternity leave the boys finished their school year. We have officially entered our second summer here on the ranch and things are going great! Adjustment to a new baby hasn't been too hard and the boys have done so well. 

This week three boys will be going to falls creek as Jon, Henry and I will head to the city with the other boy. We are volunteering in Character Week this year and extremely excited that this was possible this year. 

God is so good and we have definitely seen His hand in our lives this first year on the ranch. Today marks our one year anniversary at the ranch. We have been so blessed to be apart of what God is doing here and we very much so look forward to the next year and all He plans for us. We aren't sure where God will take us after the ranch, whether that be next year or 5 years from now. One thing we do know is that going where God calls us is the most rewarding place to be! 

Serving God Together, 

The Jon Werner Family

Time to catch up...

Blogging is one of those things that I'm either on or off, and lately I've been off. I was looking back the other day at the posts that I've written since being at the ranch and realized that I haven't posted since October! 

So much has happened since then there is no possible way to explain everything. 

September was a crazy month! Jon and I found out we were expecting our first baby. We didn't tell anyone until October. October came with some warm weather but had more cold days than not. We planned a quick last minute camping trip to Sulpher, OK. It was a ton of fun the first day, but by the second and third days it had rained so hard our campsite practically floated away. The boys didn't know how to properly pack so most of them had no dry clothes for the ride home. It was a lot of fun, but Jon and I learned that it might be best to plan a little better in the prep for rain department. Overall, October was a great month! 

November was upon us quickly and with it morning sickness for me. My birthday was a ton of fun, Jon bought me a beautiful teapot, and took me to the castle for dinner. We both had a great time amidst the morning sickness and adjusting to the pregnant lifestyle. We celebrated Thanksgiving with Jon's family early in November at the Hills cabin. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and all of our boys got to see how a family functions. By the time Thanksgiving day rolled around we only had two boys to drag with us to my side of the family gathering. I think they enjoyed it for the most part. 

December brought with it three birthdays in our house. It made for lots of special birthday dinners and baking of some interesting desserts upon request of the birthday boys. I had a lot of fun, playing mom and making them feel special. We celebrated Christmas on the 8th of December with some close ranch family members that greatly blessed our boys with many wonderful gifts. On December 20th Jon and I did our Christmas for the boys. We gave them each a 10$ gift that we specifically picked out based on each boys personality. It was so much fun! We also took them to see a movie and spent some time as a family before most of them left for the holidays. Jon and I also bought our first cruise tickets this month. We were so excited to go on a decent vacation, it was scheduled for the first week of February! 

January had many, many, many, snow days! We thought everyone would for sure go crazy, but God brought us through and everyone was still intact. Other than snow days and school days January was pretty uneventful. 

February on the other hand.... The best way for me to describe February was a disastrous month. You know when you look back and you just think, eh, I don't want to repeat that ever again. That was us this month. Jon and I had a blast on our cruise! It was everything we thought it would be and so much more! We got to see some beautiful beaches and I even snorkeled for the first time while pregnant! When we got home, there weren't beautiful beaches or peaceful moments. Unfortunately the week after our vacation we were met with the most difficult days we had ever had up to that point. Jon and I were at our wits end! We had so many attitudes flair that week, we thought we were going to go crazy. With all that had happened we thought for sure the next week would be better, but we were wrong. One of our boys ran away from home, told us he was done, didn't want to follow our rules. It felt like the biggest slap in the face. I don't find my significance in whether these boys love me or not and I know Jon doesn't either, but that night I called into question what we had done to make him hate us so. We came to find out after four days of trying to get him to think about what he had done that he really just made a stupid, impulsive decision and that we really hadn't done anything at all. It was later all resolved and February ended! Thank you God! 

March wasn't a bad month. It was somewhat like January. We just went about our normal routine, had some struggles with one of our boys, almost sent him home but out of the graciousness of the ranch we managed to work together to figure out how to work with this particular young man. 

April, the month we just came out of. For Jon and I personally, it was a month of spiritual awakening and life choice ponderings.  We felt it was time to ask our bosses for permission to attend WHC on Sundays permanently. They said yes! We felt this was the best move for us as a family. The boys still attend FBC on Wednesday nights and will continue to be a part of that family as well. For WHC April is a month of missions and refocus. It was so exciting to be with our family as we saw God move on a weekly basis in those that attended. We didn't see any drastic change in our boys, but I do believe seeds were planted and that they are definitely becoming softer to the work of the Holy Spirit. Jon also took all the guys to the Men's Rewired retreat at falls creek. It was so good for them, and very exciting to hear that God worked in at least one of their lives. If that was all God did that weekend it was totally worth it! I would say to sum up April, it was a month of awakening and renewal, refreshment and refocus. 

May, the month I've been waiting for for nine months now! This baby boy's due date is May 28th! I really have no expectation that that's when he will come, but just the reality as a whole, that we are now down to less than 4 weeks gets me very excited! The boys will also finish their first school semester with us on the 22nd, our two year anniversary is the 25th and then baby boy! As you can see this month is proving to be quite eventful for the Mac house and it's only the first day! 

I am truly grateful for all God has taught us through this last year, I look forward with great anticipation to the next year as we approach our one year mark at the ranch. God is definitely moving and I expect He will continue to move. The one thing I am learning more and more to hold onto is, God has us right where He wants us and He will take care of the future! 

Please keep us in your prayers! Summer is right around the corner and with it the challenge of having boys at home on a regular basis and the wonderful experience and adventure a new life will bring out here. God will bring us through much stronger I know that, but that doesn't mean it won't be difficult. Please pray for us! 

In Christ Always, 

Whitney

I Know, I Know...

It's been too long. I do apologize! It's been the same old thing around here so I haven't been interested in writing. 

The boys are all still in school, barely. Haha No, they are all doing great! 

We took our weekend off about a week and a half ago. It was the best weekend and the worst weekend. Jon and I both enjoyed being away and it was a time of refreshment. I enjoyed seeing the many women from Western Hills at the Women's Retreat. We just had a great time. The hard part for both of us was coming back. It was just really hard. Not that we don't enjoy being here, it was just a rough week. Things are very much back to normal and it's absolutely wonderful living life with these boys. 

Please keep us in your prayers as we continue our ministry. It is a very difficult place to be, but I would never want to be anywhere else! There are days of discouragement and days that are just absolutely draining. There are more days of fun and enjoying these boys. As with any position of ministry it is just draining. Please keep us in your prayers, please! 

I will do my best to keep you updated more often.

Thanks for your support! 

In Christ Always, 

Whitney

Sickness, School and September Days...

As Jon and I rounded the corner to our third month we faced a whole new set of challenges. SICKNESS! The house came down with a pretty severe cold that some of us had turn into bronchitis. Jon and I had to switch off, on who was on duty for the day. There were days that I never left my room, while there were days Jon never left. Just when we thought everyone was getting better, I continued to run a 101 fever, couldn't break it. So, off to the doctor we went. I had to get better, Jon was having to do everything on his own, I was getting sick of being sick. So we paid the co-pay and got the medicine. I was finally coming out of it when one evening I felt what I thought was a cut on my leg, I didn't think anything about it and went on my way. The next day I noticed a little inflamed skin near what now looked like a bug bite. I told Jon and we both agreed to keep a close eye on it. The next day it had grown significantly, so we proceeded to the doctor for the second time that week. We paid the co-pay and received medicine. We were told to mark a line and if it exceeded the line significantly then we needed to go to the hospital. Sure enough, the next two days proved to show excessive growth. Jon and I were both a little freaked out. Back to the doctor we went, this time we were advised to just go ahead and go to the emergency room. We got there and ended up being there for 4hrs. They gave me an iv with meds and then marked my leg, told me to come back and they would check to see if it had grown. I told Jon, please don't make me go back! I can just tough it out. So, home we went to watch and wait. I was put on bed rest that only lasted a day, I had a Labor Day party to plan, there was no way I was going to stay off my feet. Thankfully, today my leg looks almost completely back to normal. I still can't shave, which is the worst feeling in the world. I just might compete with guys right now, because of how hairy my legs are. Oh well, things could be worse. I could be stuck in a hospital! I am grateful things are starting to look bright again for us. It was for sure a test of our endurance and strength. The Lord has not failed us, He was right there giving us what we needed when we needed it. There is still a cold going around, but it looks like we might be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I am praying that one of these boys doesn't bring home the flu!!! Please keep this house in your prayers as we approach the flu season and the winter months.

School for the boys is going really well. They are all making outstanding grades! It's a little weird to have five boys in MS and HS. I must say, I am grateful it's not homeschooling!!! haha Football games officially start tmr night, this house is extremely excited! We look forward to supporting Chandler HS football. If you are interested in coming to some, let me know. I can get you a schedule.

September is here!! Which means it's time to break out the fall decor. I am so excited!! I am learning to take time for myself in the midst of crazy schedules so that I can be refreshed and better equipped to serve Jon and the boys. One of those relaxing things for me is decorating for fall and Christmas. I look forward to this every year like a child.

We face so many difficult days out here, but nothing is more rewarding than knowing that you are right where God has you. I look around, I listen to the conflict, and even sometimes I am saddened at attitudes towards us, but there is no comparison to knowing that God gave each of these boys to us for a reason. Maybe this reason is to change Jon and I. Maybe one day we will see the benefits of our labor, but right now, I am content to share the light and know that my heavenly father put me here with Jon for a specific reason.

I am so grateful for what the Lord is teaching me, and grateful for the lessons I have learned from the boys; how to love unconditionally, how to show grace, and how to be a mom to boys :)

In Christ Always,
Whitney

P.S. Please keep us in your prayers!

The Goose is Getting Fat...

The boys started school! Their first day was Thursday the 15th. The change has been good, it's been a nice change to the crazy summer we had.

I am not sure the boys feel the same :)

This week Taylor and Joseph have been staying with us. They are here till Friday. It's been a nice addition to the ranch. It's a lot of fun to have them be a part of what we are doing out here.

Jon and Blake went to a duck blind drawing this morning with 300 other people. Naturally they assumed their chances of getting a blind were very slim. It was a grueling wait for the both of them, but to their surprise Jon's name was drawn!! They got to choose one of the few blinds left. They were surprised to find out that the blind was right behind our property about 50 yards!! What a crazy adventure! All that to say, we will be eating a lot of game this year, which excites me beyond anything else. I LOVE cooking with and eating any kind of fresh game. I better get the cook books out and find some good recipes. As they were finding their blind he also ran across a guy that will take him on a goose hunt (no pun intended, haha) Jon of course is extremely excited!! He says he can now just skip Christmas! HA! I love that he is so passionate about hunting, I find it absolutely exhilarating to think that we might be able to have a goose for Christmas! It's like the ultimate Christmas tradition that no one really upholds much anymore. It would be really cool to begin that tradition with our boys.

Speaking of Christmas... I am so ready! I love the feeling of the cooler weather, the ability to bake, bake, bake and the endless possibilities of decorating! I can't quite bring out the Christmas music, but trust me as soon as Thanksgiving ends the music will be blaring. Okay, that might be an exaggeration but I think you get the point. hehe

Life is going great, Jon and I are learning so much out here and have definitely taken to parenting very well. Or so I think ;)

Please keep us in your prayers!
In Christ Always,
Whitney

It's Been Awhile...

It's not because I forgot about my blog, or that my life is just too busy to post anything ( although, now that I think about it, it's been pretty crazy ). I would say the biggest reason I haven't posted is because every time I think about a post, nothing comes to mind. There are only so many times you can post pictures of the scenery out here, and life right now is pretty much the same. 

The boys start school next week. Jon and I are both excited and ready for the new adventure the school schedule will bring. We have boys in track, football, archery, and one even going to votech. The summer was a great way to jump in and build relationships now it's time to live life with them. 

All that to say, that's not what I wanted to post about this time. 

My thoughts lately have been about the fact that Jon and I are completely different people out here on the ranch. I am constantly amazed by the new discoveries that happen every day. I am constantly finding that I have changed. My heart is different, my thoughts are different, my personality has even shifted some. Being in a different place, with different people and in a position of authority to teenage boys has a tendency to do that to you. I'm a mom. I take care of five boys, boys that aren't my own. I feed a family of seven now, sometimes even more than that. I am no longer sitting behind a desk or defined by the work I do in the church. I am on my own, with my husband. I am a wife to a man that is a father. We are young, yes, but nevertheless we are parents. I am a woman that has to prioritize my relationship with God, my husband and now these five boys. We have to work through tough issues as a family. We laugh together, cry together and are just down and out right goofy together. I love being a mom! I wouldn't trade where I am in life for anything! 

The ranch has changed us. We've grown up. We are different people now. I am amazed by God's plan for our lives. It's so incredible to see Him work it all out for our good. 

In Christ Always, 

Whitney

My Man...

My Man is: 

Protector

Defender

Provider

Lover

Spiritual Leader

Father

Friend

This man is beyond amazing, but there is one quality that most men do not have, and that is the ability to love boys that are not his own. It takes so much more grace and patience, love and endurance. I have seen him correct and guide in love, a deep love that does not come from Jonathan Werner, but from Christ alone. This ministry out on the ranch may or may not bear much fruit, but there is NO doubt that these boys have seen Christ! Jon is and continues to be the example of what Christ was all about. I am brought to tears even now as I sit here and see him interact with love. This love has been present throughout our marriage, but it has manifested itself in a whole new way. I see him spend hours of the day with these boys and even through all that, he still manages to take time to ask me how I'm doing. 

"Jon, there is no way anyone can tell you that you don't love these boys, or that you aren't loving your wife as Christ loves the church, because I see it and feel it everyday. I love you so much! Like I said in our vows, I will gladly follow you to whatever ministry God has called is to." YOU ARE LEADING OUR FAMILY WELL!

In Christ Always, 

Whitney