Hopeful

John has an interview Thursday morning for a job that he really wants. This one would put him back on his career path and it looks like a really good fit. I think he’s encouraged b/c they have already been conducting interviews and they were handed his resume by someone and are going to interview him this week before making a final decision. I have no idea what the other candidates’ qualifications are, but John’s “skill set” looks perfect according to the job description.


I’m PRAYING they hire him. They want the person who gets it to start May 6. Hopefully, he’ll be the one they hire!!

Thank you for any prayers!

Thankful

So tired.  It's the season, I know, but it's so important to be out there in the mission field.  I'd love to be out there doing more outside of our home.  I keep "shoulding" myself and the only thing that accomplishes is just making me feel guilty for not doing enough.  Yet there are only 24 hours in a day.  That's it.  There is also only so much energy to go around.  Maybe my main mission field is our home and family for this season.  It's been quite the season these last few years. 

With John getting laid off on Thursday, I'm amazed at another way God is showing Himself.  Danielle's coach is personally paying for her long course swim team fees for the summer.  I'm blown away.  She said some wonderful things about Danielle and that she had someone do something similar for her when she was growing up.  Danielle will serve as an assistant swim lesson teacher for the summer to help do her part.  I'm humbled and thankful...again. 

Luke is so cute as he attempts to make the sounds we model for him.  While we were at a doctor appt today he attempted to say the word "stop."  He usually gets the last part ("op").  He very slowly made a not so perfect "s" and after a pause finished the word.  All of us were cheering!  His newest word is "no."  He is vocalizing that word clearly and loudly and often!  I'm thankful every day.

Speaking of Luke, someone is anonymously sending us contributions for Luke's Carepage memory book.  They are going to the trouble to type the address and what it's for so that we may not know who is sending it.  Again, I'm  humbled.  It has been a reminder that we're not alone.  We are a bigger community supporting each other.  I look forward to the day that we get to pay it forward. 

I recently saw pictures of a trip to Kenya on a blog that really moved the kids and me.  I hope once John is working again that we can sponsor a child.  I was blown away seeing how these people literally live on a garbage heap.  There was a picture of a boy peering into the window of a school.  What a privilege we have to be able to be educated. 

I thank God for the reminders that we are not alone.  He is bigger than any of our circumstances and we are in community to help show each other God's love. 

Bluebonnets

Traditional Texas Bluebonnet pictures.  Getting 4 active children to all look the same direction with eyes open much less a smile...it was an adventure!  Would've loved to compose it differently, but glad to get it!

 

Danielle Hope--13

 

Allie--6

 

Jake--11

Luke--2

For our out of town family, these are Texas Bluebonnets.

 

Buzzing bee--Jake pointed out that it had a pollen sac.  That's just like him!  I just liked the way the light hit her (Jake informed me that she's a female, too!) wings.

School actually went like it should today.  Amazing the things that can happen when there are clear expectations and consequences! 

Allie in the Bluebonnets

6 year old Allie in our traditional, annual Texas Bluebonnets. I got some great shots of all 4 kids and even one of a bumble bee collecting nectar that I love! I'll share as I get them on my computer!

You Would Think

Well, John's last day at work is slated for April 15, next Thursday. I'm kind of stressed by it. On one hand I completely know that the Lord who has always met our needs, will again. On the other hand, I'm anxious. At one time I would've used the word "terrified" instead of anxious. But not now. Terrified is losing another baby to miscarriage. Terrified is waiting to find that heartbeat on ultrasound when you hope you might get to keep this baby. Terrified is seeing your 4 week old baby on a ventilator fighting for his life. And the amazing thing is that in those many terrifying weeks and months, He was there. Just as He promises. He brought a peace that truly does surpass any understanding this human will ever have.

You would think that after experiencing the miraculous birth of a child you thought you'd never get to have...
You would think that after seeing our baby boy completely healed of his laryngeal cleft and the doctors having "no medical explanation" for it...
You would think after driving all the way home from Cincinnati without needing the surgery for said cleft in total shock...
You would think that after He gave me back the marathon I wasn't supposed to run due to multiple stress fractures/bone damage/sprained ligaments...
and the list goes on...
You would think one would never feel anxious again.

I wish I could say I don't. BUT, the anxiety that used to take over is just a small part I have to fight back now. And, yep, He is the One who is able to do it. I'm still such a wretch. So I am processing where we are today, AGAIN. There is progress. I have to choose to trust Him, AGAIN.

You would think that as often as I've done that and as much heartache and difficulty as there has been, that I would have that trust part DOWN. I've learned that I'm not capable of doing that without Him either. So, I choose to trust you still and again, Lord. I'm not capable without You of resting in that so please help...AGAIN and still. Lord God I thank You and I love You.

Man, did that feel good to get out.

You would think I'd be able to stop and recognize this same pattern beFORE I wear my stress on my sleeve with my family. Here we go again. Okay, Lord, it's just a job, right? I've seen your work and You tell us not to worry. You take care of even the sparrows and You know even the number of hairs on our heads. Thank You for bringing peace and hope.

Easter

Thank you, Lord, for Easter. You are the reason for our hope.

Guess what?! Luke is saying some new sounds and putting them together suddenly!!! He has been saying mama, dada, nana (all 3 words pronounced with an "a" that has 2 dots above it), and A-E for Allie (short "a" and long "e" leaving the "y" out altogether).

So picture that...then yesterday he said mommY, daddY, nonnIE, aYIE, M-OR (tied together the "m" to the rest of the word "more"), and ye for yes but leaving the "s" off.

I woke up this morning to Luke talking through the baby monitor and he was saying "mommY, daddY." Music to my ears. Mornings are not my favorite time of day, but this was a sweet, sweet morning.

I can hardly believe he's going to be 2 1/2 this month. He's still doing speech therapy twice a week and Mrs. Katie has been fantastic with him. Wednesday we heard him tie some sounds together that he hadn't ever done before. He seems to be able to say some consonants and some vowels, but doesn't put them together in words. So yesterday was really exciting!

In addition to the speech, we're still praying his reflux goes away and for his lungs to become healthy and renewed completely. Luke is doing so well and is such a happy, sweet, cuddly boy with a great sense of humor and a hysterical, contagious belly laugh.

On the home front, John is still looking for a job. Thankfully, his current job got extended through the end of March/first week of April. Well, today is Friday, April 2 and he hasn't heard anything. Praying it continues for a little longer while he job hunts.

Danielle had another swim meet last weekend in San Antonio-Junior Olympics-and did very well. She qualified in 3 more events for the new season's (long course) Senior Champs, just missed another by .3 seconds, and was 1st in her age group in 2 events and 2nd in another. It was a really good meet and fun to watch.

Jake went on his first Boy Scout camping trip last weekend and was responsible with all of the other boys for taking care of themselves, including pitching their tent and cooking. He had a blast, but came home sick. Poor kid has been quarantined all week and is finally starting to feel better today.

Allie has finished all of her kindergarten work and is begging to start her next subjects. She is so excited about starting spelling, some young logic puzzles, along with the normal math, language, and reading. She's learning to write in cursive and taking piano lessons. I'm learning she's quite the perfectionist. She is not happy when she doesn't get a letter just right or if she hits a note wrong...this is going to be interesting. Hopefully, she'll relax and not be too hard on herself.

As for me, I have been a slug for the last month. I have not run or exercised at all and I feel it. The weather is beautiful and I need to get back out there. Hoping my knee and ankle have had some time to heal. They're both still a little tender. I've got to get back to my PT exercises, too. There are just not enough hours in the day. I've been so exhausted that I've actually been going to bed at a more reasonable hour this week. It seems like I can work on getting more sleep OR getting something caught up or worked on, but not both. Hmmm...

Today is Good Friday. A somber day. Thank you God for sending your Son.