A quick update!

Thanks for asking about Andrew this week ~ but most of all for the prayers. He is on another antibiotic, and he is no worse. He has been able to run, so that is good enough for him! And he has enjoyed school this week, so he must not be miserable during the day. I am thankful for a new school with air conditioning. Although we will have to keep watching him and make sure he gets totally better, I am also thankful he is not worse as he continued to get last week. All I know this week is we cannot give up. We just keep giving it over to God and letting Him take care of it. And I have to watch my attitude and my frustration. But He knew that and gave me a radio show to listen to...

The woman was on Focus on the Family, and I only caught part of it. She was talking about parenting and "overparenting" and "underparenting" ~ and she had great points for each. On one side, she talked about children who never saw their parents while they served as pastors or missionaries; and she talked about balancing and how there was no specific formula. I think she was directing people to look at what God has for them instead of getting caught up and forgetting their family. And then she talked about how she used to pray for her children. And then she realized and remembered they are on loan to her. That one struck me most. I always want my children to feel special and loved, but I don't want them to think they are "better" than everyone else. I have tried to help them be empathetic and not strive to have focus on them. For any accomplishments, I want their lives to point to Him. But I have prayed for certain things for them, thinking that is how I should pray. But as the years have gone on, I realize my own prayers have changed so much. I don't want them to have to go through things, but they will. So I want to remember to pray that they keep their eyes on God ~ no matter what or where they are. And when we go through frustrating or difficult times, they won't be as focused on the time as they will on Who will help them through. That is the goal, of course. I fail all of the time, but it makes all of the difference when I remember to put my focus back on Him and not my circumstances!

So instead of being frustrated (which I have been again recently!) and worn down, I have once again been reminded to keep looking at Him. I don't know why my eyes drop or fall down so quickly, but they do often. I am thankful for the reminders placed before me.

I love Nichole Nordeman's music. I heard part of a new song on the radio one morning while Peter was driving us to work. So my full attention was not on the song! It's about Ruth and Naomi but can also represent a lot of relationships God gives us to help on here on this earth. I am thankful for all of the ones He has put in my path to help me.

Please remember a dear family at home with a family member who will probably be meeting Jesus face to face soon. They have been so much on my heart and my mind. I know a lot of you know Wendell and Wanda and Brittany and Shannon. They are leaning on Him, and I know they appreciate all of your prayers.

Have a great weekend. And thanks again for the prayers for our family. Peter and Will had a good first week too. Sam is checking his bsl in the office before lunch, and he is doing a great job along with the team of people helping him. We are thankful for all of them too!!!!



I'm With You (Nichole Nordeman)


Love is a hurricane in a blue sky,
I didn't see it coming, never knew why,
All the laughter and the dreams, all the memories in between, washed away in a steady stream.
Love is a hunger, A famine in your soul.
I thought I planted beauty, but it would never grow.
Now I'm on my hands and knees, trying to gather up my dreams, trying to hold on to anything.
We could shake our fists in times like this when we don't understand or we could just hold hands.

(Chorus)
You and me , Me and you, Where you go I'll go too, I'm with you, I'm with you,.
Till your heart finds a home, I won't let you feel alone, I'm with you , I'm with you, with you.

You do your best to build a higher wall.
To keep love safe from every wrecking ball.
When the dust is cleared you will see the house that love rebuilt, guarding beauty that lives here still.

(Chorus)
It's you and me , Me and you, Where you go I'll go too, I'm with you ,I'm with you.
Till your heart finds a home, I won't let you feel alone, I'm with you, I'm with you.

Who can say I'm left with nothing?
When I have all of you, all of you, yeah.
In the way you've always loved me.
I remember. He does too.

(Chorus)
It's you and me, Me and you, Where you go I'll go too, I'm with you, I'm with you.
Till your heart finds a home, I won't let you feel alone, I'm with you, I'm with you.
Me and you are gonna make it through me and you.
I'm with you, I'm with you, with you.