Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy Jack Family Reunion


We spent four days with my Mom (in the Dr. Seuss hat). She is such an incredible lady. She has taught me so much, especially recently in how to remain sane while having a child who is making terrible decisions.



The "cabin" was six bedrooms and four bathrooms along with a gorgeous fireplace and great room.






My sister and her family (from Seattle). We don't get to see enough of them.



Just the thought of being in a "cabin" with four teenage boys is overwhelming. But, overall, everyone got along fine....





The weather was snowy - in fact it was storming the day we arrived. We did get out one day and those brave enough went on snow saucers down a hill...



David - his Mom was holding her breath every time he went down!







Jay, the daredevil, wanted to do a back flip off a snow saucer - thankfully he got cold before figuring it out!!








Kara, the snow bunny, made it down in one piece!









And of course me and Brian (yes, Brian shaved, no I don't like it!)

More thoughts later - families are precious.

New Year's Eve

Here it is - New Year's Eve. I have had a quiet day, putting away the Christmas decorations, sorting piles of stuff on my desk.

I am so excited for 2009 - it can only be better than 2008. And, I get to read through the Bible again - using the Life Journal plan this time. David has committed to reading also!!

This past year has been painful. Yet, in so many ways, I have grown closer to the Lord. The experiences are not ones I would have chosen, but they were able to teach me and mold me into a better person.

For 2009 I have no resolutions - just want to keep growing more in love with Jesus, my wonderful husband and fantastic children. I want to continue serving to help reach our young people.

And, we are closer to Heaven!!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve Afternoon

Everything is done - all the presents are bought and wrapped, everything is baked, tomorrow's dinnner is ready to pop in the oven, the boxes are packed to leave town on Friday.

I have this time to sit and think about how blessed I truly am. We have a roof over our head and food in our pantry. We have cars that drive and jobs. We have children who are educated and good citizens. We have an amazing church and an incredible Home Team. We have family and friends. We live in a country where we can worship freely.

So perhaps there won't be as many presents as there were in the past - it is okay. We are learning what is really important - the Baby in the manger, family and friends.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Melancholoy

It is raining. I am tired. It is three days until Christmas. And I feel melancholy.

Not sad or depressed, just kind of down. This has been such a challenging year and many of the challenges are on going. I am ready for some cheer and hope.

But, if it weren't for the down and tough times, we wouldn't appreciate the good times. I can't think of anywhere in Scripture where God promised us all good times. I can think of several Scripture where it says the way will be hard.

My SOAP today contained "O Lord, I am calling to you. Please hurry! Listen when I cry to you for help!" It is so cool we can ask God to hurry (doesn't mean He will, but we can bring ANYTHING to His throne of grace!).

It will be good to get away, even if it is with my entire family!!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Internet

The internet is SOOOOOO frustrating. Cox has been going up and down more than an elevator!!

Brian called. Their response - there is a lot of growth in your area and lots of people are signing up for cable due to the change in television.

Why can't people take responsibility? Why can't the internet work regularly?

So, I apologize for not blogging more. Life is good - Christmas is a week away!!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Direction

Hopefully Jay has found direction. He has filled out the appliction to be part of Job Corps. Through this program he will earn his high school diploma AND learn a trade. He is hoping to learn how to work in masonry, plaster and concrete. Once he is finished he will be able to apply for jobs and have a skill.

He is excited to start building fireplaces and water features. This will be cool to watch him use his creativity.

It is fun to watch as God is working in Jay's life. Before too long Jay will actually realize what is going on and God will be able to use his testimony.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Hiring Decision is DONE!

It was so cool this afternoon. I had the top two candidates for the AP position I have open come in for a second interview. They met with the rest of the staff.

After it was over, I asked each one who they thought would be the best fit. All five agreed!!

And, it was the lady I thought would be best. So, on December 29 while I am on vacation, she will join our team.

What a burden lifted!!

Waiting

I am in a total holding pattern.

We are waiting for Brian to find a job where he can truly excel and glorify God.

We are waiting for Jay to get his head together. Last Saturday we asked him to leave. He wasn't living by the rules or the contract he signed. It was tough. It looks like he may come home later this week - repentent, willing to live by the rules, hopefully finding a job soon, returning to school and becoming a functional human being as opposed to the leech he has been.

We are waiting for a financial breakthrough (along with most of America!).

We are starting the process to become foster parents.

We are in the first phases of wedding plans. (Can someone explain why it takes so long and so much money?)

Most importantly we are waiting for Jesus to come take us home!!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Tough Decision

Today we made a tough decision. God will honor the tough decisions we make. I can't wait to see how God works through this difficult situation.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Interviewing

Over the next two days I will interview between eight and ten people. What a huge responsibility. One is an internal candidate, the others are all unemployed.

When I called one lady today she started crying, saying "thank you, thank you for the opportunity." Wow.

After I finish interviewing Friday afternoon, I will select the top two or three candidates. They will be invited back to meet the staff so I can get their input next week.

I am praying for wisdom, for my eyes to be open to the best person and for the girls to be in agreement as we work so closely as a team.

Selfishly I am praying for strength as I will have to tell most of them they didn't get the job. Can't wait until this process is over!!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Christmas Oranments

I am pretty excited about this Christmas. Brian and I put out the Christmas decorations over the weekend. He was grumpy and the tree didn't get finished. So Sunday afternoon, all by myself, I put the oranments on. It was cool.

I spent time praying for each one of our children as I placed ornaments with their pictures through the years on the tree and the ones they made.

Prayers went out for the people who gave us ornaments. Thanks went up for the ornaments that are reminders of special trips we have taken and places we have been. All in all it was a walk down memory lane, treasuring all the blessings God has given us.

This is going to be a low key Christmas, things are tough everywhere. But we have our Lord, our family and our Christmas ornaments - who needs anything more?