Driver Family Embassy

Christmas 2009

2010-01-27T20:28:00.000-08:00

Pictures of getting our tree, decorating, baking, advent, opening gifts, celebrating with family Jesus' birth.

~~getting our tree~~

~~Pictures of the kiddos~~

~~Baking - yummy!~~

~~Advent~~ ~~Decorating the Windows~~

~~Christmas~~

Anacortes/Seattle Trip

2010-01-27T19:38:00.000-08:00

In October we drove to Anacortes, WA to visit Rick's grandfather, Frank. We drove 101 & took a ferry from Pt. Townsend. Frank celebrated his 100th in October!!

Deception Pass

We also took the ferry from Anacortes to Guemes Island.

Then we spent the day in Seattle on the way home & visited Pikes Place Market & Ivar's.

Joshua & Valerie Birthday Party

2010-01-27T17:38:00.000-08:00

In September, we had Joshua & Valerie's Birthday Party!! Joshua turned 16 & Valerie 14.

Valerie Haircut

2010-01-27T17:31:00.001-08:00

On July 24, 2009, Valerie got her hair cut & donated her hair to "Locks of Love" for the 3rd time!

Behind....

2010-01-27T17:09:00.000-08:00

So, I realized that I have not posted anything since July!! Now that there's Facebook, I forget to post events, etc on here also. Posts to come....

Marcy

Kerrianna's 5th birthday!

2009-07-10T14:02:00.000-07:00

On 7/9/09 we celebrated Kerrianna's 5 th birthday!

Helping make her chocolate-chip cheesecake.

The cake - yummy!

Opening gifts.

Blowing out the candles.

Her new birthday pj's.

New Buckling!

2009-07-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

On 7/7/09 GiGi had her first kid, a buckling! He is SO cute, and looks just like his Mom!

GiGi in labor.

Cleaning him off.

Resting.

2 days old.

New Goats

2009-07-10T13:12:00.000-07:00

We purchased some new goats from a friend on 6/26/09.

This is Butterscotch, she is a Nubian (love those ears!)

This is Dora & her two doelings: Juliette & CoCo

Juliette (Left) & CoCo (Right)

Garden #2

2009-07-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here's some pics of the garden in July, after growing for 2 months!

House Blessing Party

2009-05-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 16, 2009, we had a house party. It was a special time of fun, food and fellowship. We also had a time of prayer & worship thanking God for HIS provision of this house and ALL the details.

The girls played "Apples to Apples"

The boys played outside

Valerie & Aundra

Sharing

Worship

Thank You Miller Family for doing worship!

Garden

2009-05-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

We finally got our garden all planted on Mother's Day.

Before planting.

After one week!

Corn

Beans

Lettuce

Bok Choy

Noah's 12th Birthday

2009-05-21T12:53:00.001-07:00

Noah turned 12 on April 29th. Uncle Steve, Aunt Michelle and Grandma Driver came to celebrate.

Playing Basketball

Opening Gifts

Noah's Cherry Cake

We also celebrated Michelle's birthday

Baby Animals

2009-05-21T12:41:00.001-07:00

We've had many more baby animals born since we've moved.

On April 11th, Eisa had a lamb.

On 4/28 Thora had a preemie lamb & she rejected her, so we've been bottle feeding her. She lived in a dog carrier in the laundry room for the first 2-3 weeks.

Almost 3 weeks later... she's moved out with the goats

On May 4th Spooky had her calf.

2 weeks later...

We also purchased a dozen more layers (Barred Plymoth Rock & White Leghorns), two dozen fryers, and Chukars (a gane-bird related to Partridges).

The layers are ~7 weeks old & the Fryers are ONLY 4 weeks old!! The fryers look bald, because they're getting their feathers.

Chukars

Stay tuned for more pictures... as we have a goat due in July & another heifer due in November.

Moving

2009-05-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

The actual move day for the house was March 21st, but we spent many days before & after preparing the pasture/fence for the animals and moving the animals from Lebanon to West Linn. Thank you to the MANY people who helped us before, after & during the move. On the 21st we were blessed with over a dozen helpers & made the move in ONE trip!! Here are a few pictures of our move....

Melody helping us paint at the new house.

Melody & Valerie

Ready to move...
On the side of the freeway in Salem, trailer came unhitched during one of our trips south :S

Relaxing & playing "Apples to Apples"

Loading the trailer on Move Day

Unloading at the new house!

Building beds :-)

Taking a break to "jam"

Disassembling the chicken coop in Lebanon.

Valerie Got Her Braces Off!!

2009-05-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

After almost 4 years, on February 23, 2009, Valerie got her braces off!!!

Before

After

Spring is here....?

2009-03-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

Spring is here - at least as far as the animals are concerned. Our fist lamb of the season was born today! Jedda is the proud mommy. Stay tuned for more "additions" as we have many animals due this year.

West Linn here we come.....!!

2009-03-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

Praise the Lord!! We are SO thankful for His provision of a wonderful house & property for us!! The house is 4 bedrooms, office, bonus room, 3 bathrooms, 3300 square feet, garage & barn, on 7 acres of pasture & trees. We also are signing a 2 year lease!!! It’s in West Linn, and a 30 minute drive from Rick’s school. We are also thankful for the many encouraging words & prayers said for us during our time waiting & seeking the Lord for a home.

*rear view of house*

*front view of house*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I knew in my heart that this was the house He provided as soon as we met the landlord. She actually wanted a LARGE family to rent the house & she WANTED people that had livestock to rent the house. In her mind it was wasted space & land if it wasn't being used!! That's not a "normal" way of thinking. Thank you God!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

During the past week, these are some of the things He has been showing us: He is our rock, fortress, stronghold, refuge. When we are weak, He is strong. He loves us & cares for us & hears the prayers of His saints.

Lord, we thank you for this home and we cannot wait to get settled & start using it for Your glory!

Caleb's 8th Birthday!

2009-02-16T21:35:00.000-08:00

February 12th was Caleb's 8th Birthday!! We celebrated by having homemade pizza & cake and ice cream. The neighbors (McCarley Family) came over to celebrate with us also. I am SO very thankful for the 8 years we have had with Caleb!! His birthday is the most precious to celebrate of all of my children, due to the fact that he was born not breathing (due to the cord being wrapped around his tiny neck) but God was merciful to us. Today he is a happy, healthy, smart, talkative boy!!

Pro-Life Rally

2009-01-24T14:55:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, January 18, 2009 we attended the Roe vs. Wade Memorial Rally in downtown Portland @ Pioneer Square. The rally was a memorial to honor the 50 milliion babies killed by abortion since the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973. It was the largest pro-life event in Oregon's history with an estimated 7,000 people! Here are some websites to find out the truth about abortion & how you can help the pro-life movement:

http://www.abort73.com/

http://www.standupgirl.com/

http://www.abortionno.org/

http://www.portlandprc.org/

Joey's 2nd Birthday

2009-01-21T21:56:00.000-08:00

Today was Joseph's 2nd Birthday. He had fun opening his presents, blowing out his candles & eating cake.

Christmas 2008

2009-01-02T21:48:00.001-08:00

Our Christmas this year was small, simple & relaxing. We had fun decorating the tree & making cookies the week prior to Christmas. We tried to keep the focus (as always) on Jesus' birth. We celebrated Advent nightly by lighting the candles & reading the devotionals for our "Jesse Tree". We had our annual birthday party for Jesus in the evening.

Jesse Tree

Jesus' Cake

Rosettes

Giving Thanks

2008-11-29T08:37:00.000-08:00

Psalm 118:1 "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for his steadfast love endures forever."

I'm always trying to focus on my children's hearts during the holidays - pointing them towards Jesus, so this year we made a "Thankful Turkey". We wrote on the feathers of our turkey the things we are thankful to God for. Scipture tells us to be always thankful, not just one day each year.

Rick Job/School Update

2008-11-19T21:31:00.000-08:00

This is a long overdue update, since we have not updated the blog concerning Rick's Job situation since he lost his job in August... In September, Rick had another bout with Viral Meningitis & was VERY sick for 3 weeks! He recovered & Praise the Lord, his migraines have been less frequent & not as intense!!! :-)

The Hynix employees were granted TAA retraining benefits, which means that Rick has the opportunity to go to school for up to 2 years! He will be paid unemployment benefits for those 2 years & will not have to look for work. He is VERY excited about going to school & getting out of the semiconductor industry (after 17+ years).

Rick is going to retrain in the medical field to be a nurse. After weeks of researching nursing programs in Oregon & Washington, he has found ~3 schools that he is interested in. He is in a time crunch to choose a school & turn in a "retraining plan" for approval.

He asks for prayer that:
1) He will get accepted into a school
2) The paperwork from the government will process quickly
3) Continued provision while he is going to school
and simply that God's hand will guide and lead us in accordance with His plan for our family.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

FALL

2008-11-16T13:25:00.000-08:00

Fall is here, the crisp mornings, leaves turning colors & falling out of the trees. The garden is now finished & we're preparing for the winter here on the farm: making sure children have warm clothes & rubber boots, repairing fence, breeding animals, purchasing winter feed, butchering animals, etc

Here's some fun pics (taken by Valerie) of Noah & Caleb jumping in one of the leaf piles after they raked up the yard.

Canning 2008

2008-10-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

Well, the canning season is officially over for our family. We canned 37 Quarts of Peaches, 13 Quarts of Pears, 72 Quarts of Applesauce, plus the salsa & tomatoes (see earlier post)!! The best part was working side-by-side with my children! Not only am I teaching them to preserve food, but it also teaches them teamwork & a good work ethic. In fact, all of the children helped with willing hearts - sometimes even arguing over who got to do what job... My children are such BLESSINGS!!

Caleb helping"scald" peaches

Kerrianna helping too...

Caleb skinning the peaches - he also did ALL the pears (25# box)!!

The Finished Product!

The apple pickers

Look at ALL those apples!!

Kerrianna helping

Noah helping

Joshua cored & skinned about 3/4 of the apples

Valerie helped with the "saucing"

The finished product

Joshua & Valerie's Birthdays

2008-10-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

On September 28, 2008 we celebrated Joshua's 15th Birthday & Valerie's 13th Birthday. We were blessed to have a house-full of family & friends.

Valerie had a Sarah & Melody stay the night on Friday night - while Josh was at an Air-soft War. They played games, ate snacks, had a "fashion" show & slept in the trailer.

Canning Salsa & Tomatoes

2008-10-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

Our garden did very well this year & Rick made salsa from the tomatoes, peppers, onions & jalapenos. Our pepper plants doubled in size & we actually had to stake them - after I gave them whey leftover from making cheese!!

Roasting the ingredients.

Yummo!

I also canned tomatoes - usually I hate canning tomatoes due to the time it takes, but thanks to a tip from Lindsay (http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/) I pureed them w/ the skins on & it only took ~4-1/2 hours (start to finish) to can 33 pints!

Look at the size of this Wall Walla Sweet!! It's about the size of a large grapefruit - the other onion is "normal" size.

Gleanings Summer 2008

2008-10-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

Joshua & Valerie traveled with our church (HOFCC), to Dinuba, CA from August 23-31, 2008, to volunteer at "YWAM Gleanings for the Hungry". Here are some pictures & brief testimonies of their trip...

Their day started at 6:30 AM, they ate breakfast, had devotions & were working by 8:00AM. They had breaks & lunch, and finished working at 4:30 PM. In the evening, they had dinner, another devotional time & freetime until bedtime at 10:00 PM.

The team of 77, processed 7,660 trays of fruit which is 809,000 pounds of wet fruit, which translates to 57,560 pounds of dried fruit! Which means that the team that YOU sent to Gleanings has sent 28 tons of food to hungry people everywhere. That is more than ay HOFCC team has ever before processed in a week!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Both Joshua & Valerie were tested during their time at Gleanings thru illness, loneliness, heat, sunburn, homesickness, etc. They both enjoyed the hard work & serving. They met LOTS of new friends. But most of all, this experience helped them to grow closer to Jesus. They both cannot wait to go back!

~Worship~

~Friends~

**Fun in the pool - a much refreshing treat, since the temp was around 100 degress the whole week!!**

Fire by the road on their drive home!!

Rick's job status as of August 28, 2008

2008-08-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a long time coming but I finally let my wife show me how to post on the blog, so here goes:

As some of you may know, I was laid off, effective August 14. Here in Lebanon there is little opportunity for a job which pays the type of wages I have earned in the semiconductor industry; our options were either relocation (again) or a huge cut in pay. Since this is the 2nd time I have gone through the layoff scenario in this industry my expectations, humanly speaking, were low. But Marcy and I have clung to the hope that comes from our adoption to a heavenly Father who "owns the cattle on a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10). God owns it all--even we ourselves--and not because we have such a great faith or even due to our righteous works (which the Bible tells us are but filthy rages), but because the Author and Object of our faith is Faithful: the Lord Jesus Christ. He has always provided and I am convinced He always will. Not often as we assume, but however He wills.

One of the options which was possible concerning my employment was the possibility that I and the many others with me who were also laid off MAY get a certification from the US Dept. of Labor which would enable qualified persons to get job training. When I was laid off from Fujitsu in early 2002 our group did not qualify. So I had little hope that we would qualify this time around as well, especially considering that the circumstances were essentially identical. BUT, despite all the doubt and uncertainty, I was notified yesterday that our group of employees HAS BEEN CERTIFIED FOR RETRAINING BY THE US DOL!!! This is the BEST possible news! This is my ticket out of the roller coaster ride of the D-RAM semiconductor industry!! It is only a matter of time now until I will personally be certified since I possess no college degree. As far as I understand it I will be able to go to college and earn a 2-year degree in another field all the while collecting unemployment benefits WITHOUT having to look for or accept work! I should be able to focus on college without the burden of working concurrently. I am very excited! Many years ago I opted to marry and have a family and not pursue college--when I was 19 I didn't even have a clue what I wanted "to be when I grow up", as it were. But now, I think I know and would ask you to Praise the Lord with me for His provision and faithfulness, and continue in prayer for me as to how my college/training should unfold unto His overarching purpose upon my life.

When I lost me job at Fujitsu in 2002, I spent more than 9 months studying to become a Private Investigator. While I did well with my studies it wasn't until the end of that period that I sat down with a licensed PI for a counselling session that I begain to doubt whether that was really what I wanted to do. I ended up putting that pursuit on the back burner and thankfully was able to get a great job at Hynix several months later. And for 5 years Hynix has but bread on the table at the Driver Household--and I am thankful for those 5 years.

Now as I am considering what to do with my life, and facing the very real possibility of being able to get into a different industry something occurred to me during my soul-searching that has drawn me toward the place where I now find myself. I would ask you to pray with me in this as I feel very strongly drawn to a vocation in nursing. I use the word "vocation" quite on purpose; the root of this word denotes a "calling". While I have yet to receive any divine utterances or dreams and visions to lead me down this path, nevertheless it has strong appeal to me. Firstly I began by considering health care in general because of the excellent job market in that industry. Secondly I had considered two other areas of interest which apppealed to me: radiology and polysomnography (sleep studies). But although both is these have elements of human contact I felt as if that was a waste of the personality and benevolence that God has uniquely gifted me with. Not that I am something so special, but that He has made me for His greater glory--and I want to care for others--like the nurses I saw care for Caleb while he was hospitalized several years ago. I could be that. I would LIKE to be that. So I am actively pursuing this avenue and covet your prayers for me and mine. For also my health (migraines) and finances and God's purpose for us and where we should be or move or stay or ??? He will show us the way, and provide for His will to be accomplished. Please praise with us for this wonderful, providential turn of events and tarry with us in pursuit of His calling on our lives for His glory! Thank you for your concerns and prayers for us; they are effective and appreciated! --Rick

Blessed Be Your Name

2008-08-12T11:58:00.000-07:00

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Garden's Bounty

2008-08-07T11:33:00.000-07:00

Here's some pictures of our produce we picked this morning: Bibb Lettuce, English Cucs, Red & Green Onions, Jalepenos, and Green, Red & Yellow Peppers.

Serving Our Neighbors

2008-07-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

Our church (HOFCC) has been participating in "service" projects all over the Portland/Vancouver area this summer. Check it out here: http://missions.hofcc.org/2008/07/portland-mission-outreach-day-4-recap/ Since we do not live close enough to participate, we have been looking for ways to help down here... Our neighbors down the road (a homeschooling family of 8) had a HUGE pile of wood they were chopping by hand, so we offered to come help & bring our log-splitter. We had a great time of productive fellowship!

The HUGE pile after we tackled 1/2 of it!

Joshua & Papa running the log-splitter.

Valerie & Samara hauling wood to the shed.

Valerie & Tess hauling wood to the shed.

The wood... so far...

Playing in the sprinkler after working.

Which turned into a water fight! Boys against girls & the girls won!

Kerrianna in the water bucket.

Garden Update #3

2008-07-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

The garden continues to grow & produce bountifully for us - Praise the Lord! So far, we have had broccoli, onions & lettuce.

Caleb next to the tomatoes.

Caleb & Kerrianna by the corn.

Cherries we picked from the tree out back - we got 2 buckets full & have made Cherry Cobbler so far...

Looks like we'll have LOTS of apples - all 5 trees are loaded with apples!

Article in Eugene Newspaper about Hynix CLOSING!

2008-07-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

The Register-Guard: Home: City/Region

Hynix shutting Eugene factory

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Hynix is closing its Eugene plant and will lay off its 1,113 employees over the next two months, sources within state government said Wednesday after the company's chairman met with top Oregon officials.
The Hynix chairman, Jong-Kap Kim, told officials that the decision was based on the semiconductor industry's move away from the dimension of silicon wafers used at the Eugene plant to make computer and consumer-product chips.
The cost of retooling the plant would have been $4 billion, state officials were told. Kim said he planned to meet with Hynix plant employees at 8 a.m. Thursday to describe plans for the plant's shut down, to be followed by a public announcement at 10 a.m.
The Hynix chairman said his company was looking into possibilities for reopening the facility in the future, most likely through a partnership with some other manufacturer, state sources said. Kim did not disclose what sort of products might be made, and it was unknown what employment levels or wages would result. If such a scenario doesn't develop, the plant will remain permanently closed and the equipment will be sold off.
Read more in Thursday's Register-Guard.

The Register-Guard: Home: Business

Hynix leader comes calling

By Sherri Buri McDonald

The chairman of Hynix Semiconductor, the South Korean parent company of the computerchip plant in west Eugene, will be in Oregon to meet with state and local officials today amid rumors that changes may be in store for the local plant.

Hynix Chairman Jong Kap Kim is scheduled to talk with Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy and University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer in separate meetings during the day, local Hynix spokesman Bobby Lee said Tuesday. The meetings, which Lee had described last week as a “meet and greet” session, could turn out to be more than that, according to an e-mail from the mayor.

Lee said on Tuesday that he didn’t know what would be discussed.

Rumors about the future of Hynix’s Eugene computer chip plant — everything from closure to converting the facility to make solar cells — have been swirling for months.

The rumors had reached such a fevered pitch that last week Eugene City Councilor Bonny Bettman forwarded an anonymous e-mail speculating about imminent layoffs at Hynix to city officials and asked if there was any veracity to the e-mail’s claims. And if so, she wrote, what would be Hynix’s obligations regarding reimbursement of tax breaks?

Lee said he had no comment about the anonymous e-mail.

Piercy recently e-mailed this response to Bettman’s query: “I have heard rumors and asked some questions. Hynix has been experiencing some challenges and some sort of change may be coming — not necessarily a bad one. I will know more after I have the opportunity to meet with them and that is scheduled soon.”

When asked by The Register-Guard what sort of change might be coming at Hynix, Piercy responded via e-mail: “I don’t (know) yet. I look forward to meeting with the Chairman of Hynix to hear from him any news regarding their future here in Eugene. The company has been a huge part of our community and our economy for a decade, providing good jobs for hundreds of people. I know these are complex economic times.”

The company is a major employer and taxpayer in Lane County. It has an annual payroll of $62 million and 1,113 employees, including about 100 Korean nationals, Lee said. Three hundred contract employees also work at the site, he said.

It is far and away Eugene’s biggest taxpayer, paying $4.47 million in property taxes in the 2007-08 tax year, according to county tax records.

Hynix has received a total of $66.86 million in tax waivers under the state’s enterprise zone property tax program since the 1996-97 tax year, according to county tax records. Over the same period, those records show that Hynix has paid $56.55 million in property taxes.

Hynix Semiconductor is the world’s second-largest manufacturer of dynamic random access memory, or DRAM, which is used in computers and other consumer products.

The world’s DRAM manufacturers continue to churn out more and more DRAM units, but prices are way down.

World DRAM revenues are estimated at $28.3 billion this year, down 13 percent from last year, according to IC Insights, a semiconductor market research firm based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Eugene factory makes computer chips from 8-inch, or 200-millimeter, wafers. It’s more cost-effective to produce chips on 12-inch, or 300-millimeter, wafers, which are about the size of a medium pizza.

In the next two years, virtually all producers of commodity DRAM will be using 300-millimeter wafers, predicts Trevor Yancey, IC Insight’s vice president of technology.

“So that means you either convert your older DRAM fabs (factories) to other products, or sell them, or shut them down,” he said. “We don’t have any insight on what Hynix may be thinking to do on the DRAM fab in Oregon. I’d think their best bet would be to convert it to produce something else.”

Last month, Hynix bought a controlling stake in Siliconfile Technologies Inc., a South Korean maker of image sensors, which are used in digital cameras. The sensors convert optical images into electric signals.

“Quite a few DRAM manufacturers have converted wafer fabs to image sensors because the processes are similar,” Yancey said.

But a lot of companies have entered that business — perhaps too many, and no one is really making any money on it, he said.

As for solar panels, Yancey said, “solar is kind of a buzzword right now, so I think that every company is taking a look at that market because the growth is there.”

But again, he said, “it just seems like there’s too many companies getting involved there.”
Yancey said he wasn’t sure what to make of the Hynix chairman’s back-to-back meetings with Oregon officials.

“I guess it’s possible they would be considering building a new (300-millimeter) fab at that site,” he said, adding that Hynix’s closest competitor Samsung last year opened a massive 300-millimeter fab in Austin, Texas.

“Either that, or they’re looking to do something kind of major,” Yancey said. “If they were just going to convert the fab from DRAM to image sensor, I don’t think that would be a big deal.”
Then again, he said, “it may just be a meeting.”

HHHH
Sherri Buri McDonald can be reached at (541) 338-2367 or at sherri.buri_mcdonald@registerguard.com

Copyright © 2008 — The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, USA

Rick Job Update

2008-07-09T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone. I mentioned recently I would keep you up to date on our situation and specifically what is happening in regards to my employment. Since this is not going out via email but rather posted to the blog, I am going to take a bit of time to catch you up on the history of my family, especially for those that do not know what we’ve been through. But first a few thoughts…

So many people suffer greater trials than we have suffered that ours seems to pale in comparison. Be that as it may, we know that different trials come to different people in different times for different reasons and yet God knows what we can handle and how much testing to allow us to pass through. He becomes our strength when we have none, just as Paul proclaimed how when he was weak then he was strong (in Christ) as the power of Christ worked in and through him. The wonderful news is that He is sovereign over all and we need not fear but trust in His goodness. He calls us to trust Him in the storms of life just as He called upon His disciples to trust Him during the storm that threatened to capsize their little boat. He calls us to faith in what seems impossible just as He called Peter to walk to Him on the water, for nothing is impossible with God. He calls us to walk in uprightness and seek His righteousness and kingdom rather than worry about the cares of this life. He promises us a home in heaven with Him even if we lose our earthly dwelling—for He declared that He has no place to rest His head but yet still calls us to follow Him wherever He leads. He promises to never leave us and to always care for us, just as He does for the birds and lilies. And so much more could be said of His great and inexhaustible love and mercy which He showers upon us daily. He is so good that He even cares for those who will never receive His love but continue in unbelief and even hatred toward Him, just as we all once did. But despite all His goodness we still fall into unbelief and sin, worry and fear, doubt and discouragement. Sometimes even to the brink of despair. Yet He remains the same, even as we waver in our faith. During these times of trial it is so easy to forget the goodness He has shown and the perils He has saved us from. And that is where I am once again today—clinging desperately to the hope of the power of God to reveal His purpose in me and my family, to take hold of the calling He has for us, to deliver us from fear and worry, to provide for us when the checkbook balance screams to me “IMPOSSIBLE!” and there seems to be no way out. But how can I continue in fear when He says He is for me and not against me? He cannot lie—so why should I fear? I cannot add one hour to my life or change one hair from black to white but yet He knows all things and upholds all things and sustains all things by the power of His Word and His very nature. He will accomplish all He has planned to do both in the world and in me despite my insignificance in the big picture. Who can know the mind of God in these matters? How often He surprises us by the turn of events that take place! And not to mention the things in life He has spared us from and delivered us from of which we have no knowledge! One day we shall know fully how rich and deep and full and immeasurable and consistent and unwavering is His love towards us who believe and love Him because He first loved us and called us to Himself! To God alone belongs the glory and to this I say “amen”.

I am going to try to be brief. In 2002 I lost my job of 12 years. I spent almost 1 ½ years looking for work and studying to enter a new profession, which in the end came to nothing particularly due to some unscrupulous people whom I had trusted. In June of 2003 I found work and spent the next 6 months preparing to sell our home and move my family south to join me in Eugene, Oregon. My family and I were reunited and lived in the Eugene area for about 1 ½ years until Marcy’s mother passed away 3 years ago today. When she passed Marcy and the kids moved back up to Ridgefield, Washington to be with her dad and help care for the needs there. By pooling our resources we were all able to survive but took on another load of debt because of the financial situation which was left to Marcy’s dad from his wife’s passing. I spent the next 2 ½ years working in Eugene with my family in Washington, where I returned each weekend for several days. I was unable to locate employment in the Washington/Portland area and very strongly felt that several opportunities which may have been possible were simply not right for me. We continued to pray for God’s leading. Circumstances between my father-in-law and his landlord forced us to prepare to move and by the end of 2007 we were situated in Lebanon, Oregon, where we now live and feel that God wants us to be here. A few months after we got here Marcy’s dad joined us and for several months we have all been together again in Lebanon. Now comes the hard part: my company is closing its doors. There has been no official word yet, but the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. Secrecy and rumors abound. Apathy, complacency, fear, worry, even a sense of impending doom—all of the negative feelings one could imagine from such a situation are present and almost more than one could bear. It is very difficult to not fall into the fear and apathy that the world around you is experiencing. It is difficult to come to work knowing that nothing matters and it is only a matter of time before it all comes to a screeching halt. Most likely we have been sold to another company from Korea. There are just too many signs and events which have occurred to consider them as coincidental. There are certain things that happen in the semiconductor industry (of which I am a part) prior to a plant closing and as I said before the pieces are coming together—I’ve been through this before. Especially enlightening was a presentation by the Koreans which was not meant for Americans to see in which the closing of the plant was specifically stated. The only good news we have been able to draw from these things is that a sale of the company is likely and some of us (hopefully) will retain our positions or at least some form of employment.

Several weeks ago a former co-worker contacted me with an opportunity in Hillsboro. After careful consideration and prayer we decided that this was not an option for us. We feel God has placed us here in Lebanon and need to be where we are. The position was never guaranteed but if I were to actually have gotten the job our family would have again been separated. We do not feel this is what God wants for us. I have no doubt in my mind that I could be completely mistaken—I am a human and prone to err—but nevertheless that is how we feel led. But God doesn’t always share His game plan with us but most of the time I would say He simply calls us out to believe in Him and like the hymn says, “trust and obey”. Lean on Him and not our own understanding. Obey as He leads the way. Let His Word be a light to our feet. Step out…in faith.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. I could probably go on and on in my rambling. I ask for your continued prayers for our family, and for the people in this region who need to hear the gospel, and for those seeking an HOFCC style fellowship—there are people both here in the Albany/Salem area and Eugene/Springfield who are seeking the Lord and interested in what we as a church stand for and are trying to accomplish through the Great Commission Lifestyle. Pray that we could be a blessing and a help to them all and that we too would grow in our faith and obedience, and for the grace of the Lord Jesus to show us the way to go, for right now all I see is uncertainty. Uncertainty not is the Lord’s love and grace which I know will prove abundantly faithful and true, but in the practicality of how in the world would He have us serve Him and for me to provide for my family since it is most likely I will be unemployed by the end of the summer at best. Of course there is the possibility that none of this will happen, but the clues don’t lead one to conclude that scenario. Only the Lord knows just exactly what is in store for my company, Hynix, and for our family. Please pray that God would show us the way in which to walk and for His continued provision.

Rick Driver for the Driver Family
riconnaissance@msn.com
www.driverfamilyembassy.blogspot.com

Kerrianna's 4th Birthday!

2008-07-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

** The Birthday Princess**

On Sunday, July 6, 2008, we celebrated Kerrianna's 4th Birthday. We were blessed with having our longest & dearest friends, The Silliman Family, join us.

Kerrianna got a "new" bike for her birthday!

Rick got the "Burnt Biscuit Award" for the day! Lori made these beautiful rolls & the stove got bumped (Rick) & the temp changed from 350 to 500 degrees!

My Anniversary Present

2008-07-05T17:31:00.000-07:00

For our 17th Anniversary, Rick gave me a beautiful amethyst (purple is my favoroite color) necklace with 17 stones!! He went to a bead store in Eugene & hand-picked the amethyst stones, the other beads, the pendant (a cross) & the clasp (it's heart-shaped). He then had Valerie put the items together as a necklace. The thought, care & love is felt, whenever I wear it!

17th Anniversary!

2008-06-29T15:47:00.001-07:00

Today is our 17th Wedding Anniversary!! It was a rocky beginning, but with the grace of God, we are even more in love with each other now.

"Married life is not all sugar, but grace in the heart will keep away most of the sours."

C.H. Spurgeon

Sonny Scott Article

2008-06-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

SONNY SCOTT:Home-schoolers threaten our cultural comfort
6/8/2008 9:39:01 AMDaily Journal

You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.

It's a big family by today’s standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.

There's no begging for gimcracks, no fretting, and no threats from mom. The older watch the younger, freeing mom to go peacefully about her task.

You are looking at some of the estimated 2 million children being home schooled in the U.S., and the number is growing. Their reputation for academic achievement has caused colleges to begin aggressively recruiting them. Savings to the taxpayers in instructional costs are conservatively estimated at $4 billion, and some place the figure as high as $9 billion. When you consider that these families pay taxes to support public schools, but demand nothing from them, it seems quite a deal for the public.

Home schooling parents are usually better educated than the norm, and are more likely to attend worship services. Their motives are many and varied. Some fear contagion from the anti-clericalism, coarse speech, suggestive behavior and hedonistic values that characterize secular schools. Others are concerned for their children’s safety. Some want their children to be challenged beyond the minimal competencies of the public schools. Concern for a theistic world view largely permeates the movement.

Indications are that home schooling is working well for the kids, and the parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is coming under increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in California.

Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?

Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.

Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar’s be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.

Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of the king upon the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state’s bureaucrats on these “trouble makers.” Their implicit rejection of America’s most venerated idol, Materialism, (a.k.a. “Individualism”) spurs us to heat the furnace and feed the lions.

Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter’s wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square-foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim “our right” to pursue a career for our own "self-fulfillment."

Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k’s. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work … and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn’t you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?

Is it any wonder we hate her so?

Sonny Scott a community columnist, lives on Sparta Road in Chickasaw County and his e-mail address is sonnyscott@yahoo.com.

Read the article yourself at: http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=274594&pub=1&div=Opinion

Garden Update

2008-06-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

Our little garden (compared to past years) is doing very well.

Grapes!

Lettuces & Bok Choy

Broccoli & Tomatoes

Apples

One of our beautiful artichokes!

Chevre

2008-06-23T23:46:00.000-07:00

I made more cheese over the last 2 days - more Mozzarella &... Chevre. It's a soft cheese made from goat's milk. You heat the milk & add the culture, then let it sit on the counter for 12 hours. You then drain the curd into butter muslin & hang to let they whey drain (much like cream cheese) for 6-12 hours.

Draining....

The finished product!

Yummy with crackers!

Psalm 139

2008-06-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

Psalm 139 is one of my favorite passages to meditate on. May it bless & comfort you today. Soli Deo Gloria! ~Marcy

~~Psalm 139~~

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying downand are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue,behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morningand dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me,and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me,and the light about me be night, 12 even the darkness is not dark to you;the night is bright as the day,for darkness is as light with you. 13 For you formed my inward parts;you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works;my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,the days that were formed for me,when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.I awake, and I am still with you. 19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!O men of blood, depart from me! 20 They speak against you with malicious intent;your enemies take your name in vain! 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 22 I hate them with complete hatred;I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting!
English Standard Version

Missions' Trip

2008-05-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

Joshua & Valerie will be going on a Missions' Trip with our church, HOFCC, August 23-31, 2008.

“Gleanings for the Hungry” was founded in 1982 by Wally and Norma Wenge, who after having spent time in Thailand on outreach with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), saw the need for fruit there. They remembered all the fruit that goes to waste in the rich produce valley of San Joaquin, and the idea of Gleanings was birthed. “Gleanings for the Hungry” is located in the small agricultural community of Dinuba, California. This community is about 35 miles southeast of Fresno, California. Cull fruit that can't be sold because its too small, has a split pit, or a mark on the skin of peaches and nectarines are donated by fruit packers in the area. The fruit is run through a processing line where it is washed, sorted, pitted, and put on trays. It is then sulfured for 4 hours to preserve the color, sun-dried out in the field, and then packed into 4 gallon plastic buckets to send to the world's hungry. They will be working from 8-5, Monday-Friday, washing, drying & packaging the fruit. You can check out more about Gleanings at: http://www.gleanings.org/.

Please pray that they will be able to raise the money ($140 each), for safe travels, closer devotion with their Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, and for the strength they will need while volunteering at Gleanings.

CHEESE

2008-05-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

Today was my first attempt at making homemade cheese. I made mozzarella & ricotta cheese. I was very happy with the results! I purchased a "beginner's kit" from New England Cheesemaking (http://www.cheesemaking.com/) which included a DVD, book "Home Cheese Making", and a 30-minute Ricotta/Mozzarella Kit.

MOZZARELLA CHEESE

Here's the ingredients needed for making Mozzarella Cheese - whole milk, citric acid and rennet.

The milk heating in the pot.

After you add the rennet, the cheese curds & whey seperate.

The cheese curds after removing them from the pot.

Draining the excess whey off the cheese.

The finished product!! And yes it only took 30 minutes!!

WHOLE GOAT MILK RICOTTA CHEESE

Ingredients: Goat milk & apple cider vinegar

Heating the milk.

After adding the vinegar, the cheese curds & whey seperate very quickly.

Draining the ricotta.

The finished product!

Being Frugal

2008-05-16T13:13:00.000-07:00

Being "Frugal" is a discipline that I have always tried to follow, but with the rising cost of gas & groceries (due to gas prices) I have been challenged to find ways to cut costs. God is our provider and I glorify Him by using the things He gives us wisely. Early on in our marriage, when money was VERY tight, I made a lot of things from scratch out of necessity. Then raises came, more children came, I started homeschooling & quite frankly, I got lazy. I am now doing some of those things again: making homemade bread products, spice mixes, mayonnaise, etc. I have been greatly inspired by some of the young mothers at our church & their websites – check them out here: http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/; http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/; THANK YOU Lindsay & Kimi!! My next project is to learn to make cheese – we’ve been getting almost ½ gallon of goat milk a day from Uni! That’s only milking her once, too! Here are some pictures of Valerie & I making homemade whole wheat rolls. YUMMO!

Freshly ground Whole Wheat Flour (we use Hard White Wheat Berries)

Mixing the dough - Thank you Rick, for my K-Tec Mixer (9 years & still loving it!)

The dough after it had doubled.

Mom kneading the dough.

Valerie shaping the rolls.

The rolls after shaping, but before they had risen.

The finished product - Yummo!

SPRING!

2008-05-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

It's finally spring here in Lebanon - after our snow April 20th. The apples trees (5) have blossoms, the grapes have buds, and we have finished the first tilling for our garden.

Our artichoke plants (4) survived being dug-up & transported!

We found a great buy at BiMart on starts & bought some lovely peppers, tomatoes, onions, herbs & broccoli.

Our garden will be smaller than the when we were in Ridgefield. This plot is ~43 ft X 30 ft. We will have tomatoes, peppers (bell & hot), broccoli, corn, carrots, lettuce, baby bok choy, beans, cucumbers, spinach, and onions.

Noah's 11th Birthday!

2008-04-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 27, 2008, we celebrated Noah's 11th Birthday.

Since Noah & Daemon (his cousin) have birthdays one day apart, we celebrated them together this year. Wynnette (my sister-in-law) did a wonderful job putting the party together! It was a "Cowboy" themed party - the kids had fun dressing like cowboys, learning to use a lasso, shooting (squirting) pop cans, horse races, panning for gold, etc.

Opening presents...

Valerie & Lexi

Cousins!

Got Milk?

2008-04-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

We have some new additions to our "herd". We purchased 3 Alpine Dairy Goats on April 23, 2008. Uni (she has one horn) is the mother & she has twins - a doeling & buckling. We will keep the doeling & butcher the buckling. So next year we'll have 2 milking goats :)

Snow in Late April!!??

2008-04-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

We awoke Sunday morning, April 20, 2008, to SNOW!! We only got about 2-3 inches. Then it snowed & hailed off and on for the next 3 days... I thought it was spring?

TeenPact

2008-04-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

This past week (April 14-18), Joshua, Valerie & Noah attended TeenPact at the capitol in Salem. They participated in "mock" legislative sessions, wrote bills, memorized scriptures, wrote letters & prayed for their Senators & Representatives, and had A LOT of FUN!

*************************************************

Joshua attended classes M-TH for 6+ hours each day. He had a graduation ceremony on Thursday afternoon. The class qualifies as 1/2 credit of Government towards High School.

Valerie & Noah attended a 6 hour class on Friday.

This year they had the "first ever" Evening Session on Tuesday night. The kids had a fun time of Ultimate Frisbee, food, fellowship, worship & devotions.

New Addition!

2008-04-02T10:07:00.001-07:00

We awoke this morning to find a new addition to our herd - Thora had a lamb!

Rebelution Tour Video

2008-03-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

Portland, OR - Saturday, May 3, 2008!!

From Valerie

2008-03-13T20:52:00.000-07:00

I,Valerie, wanted to tell you all a little bit more about the speech and debate class Josh and I are going to. On the first day (for the debate part) we had to get up and say our opinion on something. I don’t know how many of you know I play the piano, but I said, “Pianos are the best instrument in the world!” (I know many of you probably don’t agree, but that’s the point). I’m usually shy in front of strangers, but I’m getting used to it. Our teacher, Doyle Srader, is very, VERY funny! I really like the class. For speech (which is where I needed to learn the most because I say “kinda” ALOT) I’ve learned about how to give a speech, why NOT to memorize your speech, and what jokes are good…and not good. We have a project to give a speech on “something you like to do” or “Yourself” - Josh and I both choose something we like to do. I chose cooking as my topic. Since I don’t like getting up in front of strangers, I ask that you’d pray that I don’t forget my speech!! For debate….some of it is confusing, but most of it is interesting. Well, I hope all of you like our blog, and I’d love to hear from my friends… Thanks!! Valerie Driver

Opportunities

2008-03-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

Joshua & Valerie have been attending a speech & debate class on Saturdays offered by the Assistant Professor of Speech & Communication (Dr. Srader is a former assistant debate coach at Baylor University and the University of Georgia, and former interim director of speech and debate at Arizona State University) at Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR. This has been a wonderful opporunity for them! Especially because the classes (for homeschoolers only) are FREE!! The classes began on February 16, and will continue for 12 weeks.

Joshua, Valerie and Noah will also be attending TeenPact in April. (TeenPact is a comprehensive leadership experience that brings kids closer to Jesus Christ, makes them better leaders, and positions them to impact public policy in their state. During TeenPact, students meet important officials, interact with other like-minded students, and have more fun at the capitol than they could have ever imagined. Students leave inspired and challenged with an intensive desire to change America for Christ.) For more info go to: www.teenpact.com

On Saturday, May 3, 2008, Joshua, Valerie & Rick will be attending "The Rebelution Tour" in the Portland area. The Rebelution is an awesome movement started by Alex & Brett Harris (sons of Gregg Harris). The official definition of the 'rebelution' is "a teenage rebellion against the low expectations of an ungodly culture." The battle cry of The Rebelution is "Do Hard Things" - also the name of their book, being released April 15. For more info go to: www.therebelution.com

As you can see, we are keeping ourselves busy - but busy with excellent opportunities for the children to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ & challenge them to make a difference.

**Stay tuned for updates from the kids about their experiences...

Chickens

2008-03-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

We moved the chickens here on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. We still need to build the "indoor" part of the coop that will include the nesting boxes. I cannot wait to have fresh eggs again!

Once my father & Whitey (black lab) join us at the end of the month, we will ALL finally be here in Lebanon.

Our animals are here...

2008-02-20T14:53:00.000-08:00

On Friday, February 15, we moved our cows, Eve & Spooky (white face), from Ridgefield to Lebanon. Then on Sunday, February 17, we moved our sheep, Thora (horns) & Ingrid. Above are some pictures of our "herd". Thank you to The Klement's for the use of their trailer. Next are the chickens & dogs...

PRAISE THE LORD!!

2008-02-20T14:25:00.000-08:00

Rick received a 3.5% raise today that is retroactive to January 1st! This is the largest raise he has received at Hynix without a promotion. This will allow us to save money & pay off debt to hopefully purchase this home here in Lebanon. We thank you & give you glory, our Lord Jehovah-Jireh for this blessing!

Caleb's 7th Birthday

2008-02-13T10:51:00.000-08:00

On February 12, 2008, Caleb celebrated his 7th birthday!! When Caleb was born he was not breathing & his only sign of life was a heartbeat of 40. After 7-1/2 minutes, God graciously chose to give him to us & we are very thankful & give glory to God that He did. Caleb has been through alot in his 7 years with us: his birth, he was born with a submucousal cleft palate & had corrective surgery, he has had numerous operations for tubes in his ears, has had a year of speech therapy, spent a week in the hospital in 2004 with an unknown virus... Through it all God has been faithful to our family. We love him very much!

On Sunday, February 10, 2008, we had Caleb's party, we were blessed to have our dear friends the Silliman's, as well as Papa & Caleb's cousins & aunt.

We have a tradition in our family for birthdays, on your birthday you get to choose the dinner meal. Caleb chose to have stir-fry noodles with shrimp, chicken & beef (also known as "Daddy's noodles") , potstickers & egg-drop soup. Here are some pictures of the family preparing Caleb's dinner.

Headaches

2008-02-12T17:41:00.000-08:00

Most of you know that my husband, Rick, has suffered from headaches for almost 2 years now. He had maybe 1-2 headaches per month prior to May 2006, but in May 2006 he got Viral Meningitis. Since then he has a headache every day – it’s just a matter of how intense they are. They are NOT migraine headaches. They are tension headaches & he has been trying to get to the root problem ever since. He’s gone to the chiropractor, a dentist specializing in jaw related issues, a sleep clinic, a neurologist, etc… Today, however, he saw a new neurologist in Eugene (actually it is the same doctor who treated him in the hospital in May 2006). This doctor gave us some hope! He thinks some of Rick’s headaches are “rebound headaches” caused by the narcotic (Vicotin) that he’s been taking for the last 2 years. He will slowly wean Rick off the Vicotin & then try to determine what is causing the problems. As with all suffering, the Lord has been faithful & I’ve seen Rick press hard into the Lord thru this time. I can see the growth in my husband over the last 2 years, as a result. Please pray that this neurologist will be able to help him. We want Rick to be able to be free of this daily constant pain.

Marcy for The Driver Family

Joey's First Birthday

2008-02-09T19:13:00.000-08:00

Joey had his FIRST birthday on January 21, 2008. He took more interest in playing & eating the wrapping paper than in the presents. He has 3 teeth, (with 2 on the way) and is taking steps. He is such a happy baby. Above are the pictures of his birthday - if you click on the picture it will enlarge.

Turkeys

2008-02-08T15:57:00.000-08:00

We have many birds to enjoy on our property (Robins, Northern Flickers, Blue Birds, Chickadees, a family of quail, finches, sparrows, starlings, to name a few) but the birds that bring the most excitement from the children are the TURKEYS. Yes, we have a rafter or gang of turkeys that cross through our property on an almost daily basis. Someone yells "turkeys" and all the children run to the window to see. We then get a play-by-play of what the turkeys are doing & where they're going. We've counted 17 females & 3 males. Sometimes they're together, but most of the time they are separate. Thank you God for allowing us the privilage to view your creations!

SNOW!

2008-02-07T19:52:00.000-08:00

On January 27, 2008, we awoke to snow. By the noon we had 8+ inches. The children (and Dad & Mom) all had fun playing in the snow. Our pasture slopes in the back & the neighbors brought their sleds over to share. Here's some pictures of the kids in the snow...

Our Blog

2008-02-06T19:31:00.000-08:00

Here it is! We, The Driver Family, have a blog for our friends & family to know what we're doing down here in Lebanon, OR & sharing God's goodness in our lives. When we found out that we had to move, we prayed for God's will to be done & that He would show us where we were to be "planted". He provided us with a beautiful 6 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on 4.5 acres in SW Lebanon! It is wonderful having the family back living together after 2.5 years of only having Rick home 1/2 the week. We are getting settled & starting to get into a routine again (yea!). Our goal is to have the house done (at least all visible rooms) by March 1st, so we can begin opening our home for fellowship & hospitality! Thank you to all of you who prayed for us during our home search & move.
Marcy for the Driver's