Busy Days!

Life has been too busy lately - for sure.  School started, and we are getting back on schedule pretty easily.  Everyone seems to be settling in well.

I have been catching myself feeling overwhelmed again, but I am trying to keep on eye on it instead of it getting me.  I have set some good goals - like taking care of what bothers me the most - and keep working towards those.

On the Thursday of the week that school started, I was able to drive to Asheville to see Third Day and Steven Curtis Chapman.  They were in concert on the lawn at the Biltmore House.  It was a privilege to be there - not because of the Vanderbilts or the singers.  It was a privilege to look at one of God's prettiest sunsets in the prettiest scene.  I felt like I did when I was there several years ago - seven years ago.  Life has changed a lot since then, but I remember needing a good pick me up.  And I got it that night seven years ago.  SCC shared a lot about his family's loss (their youngest daughter was killed in an accident in their driveway).  It was only a few months later.  When he sang - totally from his heart that loves God - it was like being at revival.  And I remember feeling like water had washed over my soul.  I knew I needed that again.  And it happened again during the concert.  Listening to Third Day was like being at revival.  And listening to SCC was like being at church on Sunday night with not many in attendance - very down to earth and personal.  And that is what Jesus is all about - very down to earth and personal.  And while I know He is always with me, I need times that I am reassured and reminded.  And I was.

Church has been going well.  It's been difficult in many ways.  It's been a blessing in so many ways.  Sometimes I catch myself avoiding people and things, thinking I will cry from the lump that wells up.  But that is settling down.  There are so many great people at Middle Fork.  It's hard to miss people I have been with for almost 20 years and not see them.  It's hard to be the encourager when I feel discouraged sometimes.  But I truly believe that God calls me to be obedient; and, when I am, He takes care of the rest.  So I am trying to give it over and not take it back.  Sometimes I feel hurt or lonely or left out.  Looking back, sometimes those feelings (if they don't get out of hand!) can help nudge us to the next place we are supposed to be - physically or emotionally.

We just celebrated two boys' birthdays and have one more coming up.  I look back on their lives and what they have meant in mine, and I feel so blessed.  I remember tough times and sweet times.  I found a picture of the boys with me when Will was a baby.  I loved dressing them in cute things and was pretty particular about what they wore.  It was not expensive - I had consignment and TJ Maxx bargains.  But I loved dressing them up and trying to fit their sweet little personalities.  They all looked different and were/are very different.  It's so sweet to look back and see how they were - now that they are all getting so old!

We have just been through another little concern with one of the boys.  It seems to be resolving itself, but it made me dread blood tests and more doctors.  But we may get to skip that last part, and I am thankful for that.  So thankful and hopeful.

I read where so many "children" went to college this year.  Some were close and some were very far away.  And I was again thankful that Andrew's own situation worked out the way it did.  I wish he could go away.  I wish he was able to do that.  I hope he will be able to do that someday soon.  I tried to not think about what my own child could not do but instead be thankful of what he can do and is doing.

We have a triple birthday party tomorrow, so I have another room to clean and lots of gifts to wrap.  Thanks for praying for our family!