Some Reflections

I feel like I need to "blog" to update on this past two month's happenings.  Truly, it has been a whirlwind, a time of joy, a time of sadness, a time of feeling God holding me...and my children.

When I think over the past few months, the biggest and most prominent event that sticks out to me is leaving my son at college...by himself.  It was a thing that I truly dreaded for about a year...and the dread only increased as it got closer.  The Sunday before Josh and I headed up was probably my most emotional day.  But someone very special to me prayed for me...and it is like when we left Monday morning, I truly was okay.  I felt God's hand continually blessing.  It seemed as Josh was just covered with God's favor.  First, by him receiving a car...for free...but then a million other things that happened along the way.  God truly loves my son more than I do.  And on top of that, I just thoroughly enjoyed having the last week with just him.  The girls were with their grandparents...and although we talked every day, I was able to focus on Josh.  And that is something I will forever be thankful for.

Another thing I realized on this trip was that I am really close to my children.  Like when I compare my relationships with them to other people.  Tori would facetime me when we were apart for that week.  My sister in law commented that she hoped when her daughter grew up, that she would be that close.  And then since I left Josh, he has facetimed me every day.  I do not say this to brag or boast, rather it is a comfort to me...and a blessing...that when they are not with me, they still actually want to call Mom.

The girls and I stayed three weeks after Lee this time.  That ended up being a really long time for us to be apart.  I think both of us really learned to appreciate the other and the roles we play in parenting and just friendship with each other.  We really missed each other.  And I had some difficulties, that all worked out, on the ride home and just knew Lee would have handled them better.  But, on a positive note, because of me being alone, I was pushed out of my comfort zone.  I took a few roadtrips with the kids that in the past, I never would have felt comfortable driving.  So I was proud of myself handling it on my own.

I was blessed to go up to Dallas for my sister's oldest son's graduation.  The trip was quick, but so special to me.  Erika loved her cousin that is the same age.

The other huge thing going on in our lives is that we have had a sweet girl move into our home, with the hopes of permanent placement with our family.  It is something that the Lord spoke very supernaturally to Lee, Tori and I, last summer when we were visiting the home.  We have simply walked in obedience over the past year.  It has not been an easy road and may not be in the future still.  But God has bonded our hearts to this 13 year old girl.  So, I arrived home late Tuesday night...and woke up Wednesday morning to go pick her up and bring her to our house to live.  When I walked into the children's home to get her, I was overwhelmed with emotion that I had not expected.  Another confirmation of what God is doing.  Since she got here, she has helped us move the bedrooms around, with ownership.  It is her home.  And that is what blesses me the most. She is so comfortable with us and missed us when we were gone.  She has very long hair and the first thing she wanted to know is if I would take her to get a pretty haircut.  Tori and she looked online and found a picture for me to take to the beautician...and it turned out beautiful.  And it was a joy that I got to be the one to take her:)

And finally, we are expecting an intern, who we are very close to, to come in a little over a week from now.  We are excited that the Lord is bringing us help as there is much to do.  She will relieve me a little from children's ministry, and that will allow me to focus on the homeschooling and household tasks.

It is great to be home.  It has been extremely busy getting the house moved around and cleaned.  But as I was cooking lunch today, I thought how good it is to be back in my kitchen preparing food for my amazing family.  And after lunch, I got a call from Josh.  My heart couldn't be fuller:)