Clint and I have been fairly ill the past several days. We are on antibiotics, but they are not helping. The assumption is that it is something viral. Whatever it is, it is mean. It's already been through the rest of the family but seems to be hitting us harder.
Brandon has been buying furniture and settling more into his home.
Amanda has asked to move back home and made some wiser choices. Since making those changes, she's found a full time job and has her sights set on purchasing a house within the next year. She's been taking care of us and running the household the last few days which has been a tremendous blessing.
Joshua and Bethany had their 17th and 13th birthdays on the 17th. Since Clint and I were sick, we are planning a "do over" for their birthday celebration.
Joshua got his braces put on. Four brackets fell off within the first half an hour. He went back to get them put on and the orthodontist did not "have the stuff to do it with."
Caleb has announced he wants to start an apprenticeship with a carpenter. We are looking for an opportunity near us.
Emily has been cooking for our turtles and tortoises. The turtles will be hibernating soon so their appetites and nutrition needs have gone up quite a bit. Hannah has learned that pigtails keep her hair from being a knotted mess every morning. That's saving us both some time every day.
I had something fun and profitable dropped in my lap a few months ago. I wasn't looking for it, but it found me. It's been a big blessing to our family and many others. It's keeping me busy and has really helped with the Christmas gift list.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Monday, September 12, 2016
Up and Down
Everything God allows serves a purpose in the lives of those who love Him. This has been a roller coaster ride, and we've had to hold on tight with the ups and downs. We know God is using it to refine every member of our family into more His image. It's been a very painful process.
We learned things that had been hidden from us...things that broke our heart and other things that scared us. Stories had been told about others that we believed, so we helped them get out of the situation. Only we find out there were lies upon lies as the poison on the inside ate its way out. The situation became bad, and then it got better shortly. Then the situation grew worse again. Then it became much worse. We kept praying.
Specifically, we asked God to scare them but not to hurt them. We asked God to send them walking down the driveway when it was OK to invite them home again. Both of those very specific prayers were answered. For now, they are home and "committed to being good." It's not perfect but better.
God has been very gracious with His peace. The calmness in my heart I know came from Him. The songs I'd wake up with in my mind, I know were put there by Him. The friends who ministered, the stories that came my way, the verses in my daily devotional were all given to me by a God who loves me as an individual. All His ways are good!
We think we know what the root event is to this bad thinking, but we can't get them to talk. We know the struggles with very low self esteem and PTSD aren't helping. We know they are headed for trouble again if they don't get help to learn ways to protect themselves. We've tried all we know how to do and more. We've offered every available resource. The pain is very visible.
Where we can't make inroads, we know God can. Please keep praying.
I apologize for not answering mail. I started a new activity in May, and it has been affected by this. However, it has also been a great way to occupy the mind during this season.
We learned things that had been hidden from us...things that broke our heart and other things that scared us. Stories had been told about others that we believed, so we helped them get out of the situation. Only we find out there were lies upon lies as the poison on the inside ate its way out. The situation became bad, and then it got better shortly. Then the situation grew worse again. Then it became much worse. We kept praying.
Specifically, we asked God to scare them but not to hurt them. We asked God to send them walking down the driveway when it was OK to invite them home again. Both of those very specific prayers were answered. For now, they are home and "committed to being good." It's not perfect but better.
God has been very gracious with His peace. The calmness in my heart I know came from Him. The songs I'd wake up with in my mind, I know were put there by Him. The friends who ministered, the stories that came my way, the verses in my daily devotional were all given to me by a God who loves me as an individual. All His ways are good!
We think we know what the root event is to this bad thinking, but we can't get them to talk. We know the struggles with very low self esteem and PTSD aren't helping. We know they are headed for trouble again if they don't get help to learn ways to protect themselves. We've tried all we know how to do and more. We've offered every available resource. The pain is very visible.
Where we can't make inroads, we know God can. Please keep praying.
I apologize for not answering mail. I started a new activity in May, and it has been affected by this. However, it has also been a great way to occupy the mind during this season.
Wednesday, September 07, 2016
United States Air Force Heritage of America Band October 1 Performance
This was emailed to me, so I am sharing it here:
The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band, stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a special concert, “A Legacy of Excellence,” on Saturday, 1 October, 7:30pm, at The Ferguson Center for the Arts, in Newport News, VA. The concert will feature the concert band, and will welcome to the conducting podium several former commanders of the USAF Heritage of America Band, including: Colonel Lowell E. Graham (USAF, ret.), Colonel Larry H. Lang, Lieutenant Colonel Richard A. Shelton (USAF, ret.), and Captain Rafael F. Toro-Quinones.
The USAF Heritage of America Band, established by the Army Air Forces on Oct 1, 1941, provides musical support to a 15-state region reaching from Maine to South Carolina. The band has been featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” NBC’s "The Today Show," the DESERT STORM National Victory Parade, The World Series, NFL games, and NASCAR. The Heritage of America Band has performed ceremonies for U.S presidents and foreign heads of state, including the Queen of England and the President of France.
This performance is FREE and open to the public! Doors Open at 6:30 P.M. Only the first 1700 ticket holders will be seated. Ticket holders must be seated by 7:15 P.M. Unclaimed seats will be available for non-ticketed patrons at 7:20 P.M.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS: https://usafheritageofamericaband.eventbrite.com
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