Homecoming

Just popping in the door for a quick hello! I don't even have time to change into my cardigan, friends! 

It's Homecoming week at school, and both girls were selected for court, as some of you already know! Serena is representing her Sophomore class, and Natalie is standing with 2 of her very best friends on Queen's court. So, lots and lots of busy stuff here in the neighborhood with dresses, hair appointment making, spirit week, planning, and loss of sleep! 

Tomorrow is the big day. Two assemblies, pictures, parade, the game, and crowning of the King and Queen. 

Natalie is so happy to have been chosen for court for the second time, and being with her two besties, that she really doesn't care who gets the crown at the end. Her goal for her senior year is to embrace and enjoy every moment. Funny, that's ours as her parents too! 

Serena is enjoying her moments too, seeing how fast and fleeting high school really is. I told them over and over...don't miss anything!! Go to your dances, spend time with your classmates, get to know everybody, sign up for the things you want to try. Life is literally right around the corner...4 years is a blink.

So, I've got to get popping back out to prepare lunches and dinners in advance for the next 2 busy days! 

Answers

And He answers...in the way that only He can. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but an answer always somewhere at the appointed time. 

Though on the outside, life has rattled me a bit with lots of planning and thinking and running around, somehow I know it will all work out. 

Because daily I continue to lean on the only peace I have. While losing Jeff tied up my heart and my tongue for awhile, my Spirit was still praying and pulling for me. I knew this, though daily I felt such distance, heartache, and confusion.

I know now in my heart the verse in action...

The one at the front of my Bible study folder...the one written in my own handwriting....

"Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James 1:2-4

All along my trials, I have been concerned about my faith and my prayer life. My prayers seemed contrived and without conviction. I finally stopped. But I think my heart continued, and I think my tears spoke volumes. I need my faith and my love for God to be genuine in order for my relationship with Christ to be honest and real to me. 

This, to me, is where healing and strength, growth, and the sharing of my faith can be honest on the outside too. 

Thank you to those who were praying for me. I felt those prayers, and I felt a prompting to make some major changes that have begun to help me make better decisions for myself. 

I am most grateful for your influence and leading in my life. :) 

Need

My world just keeps getting smaller! I haven't been blogging as I would like to, and as I need to, nor have I been able to keep up with reading blogs, because we STILL don't have an Internet company. :(

So, I have limited data use on my new phone plan...ugh. And I live in the woods...and I don't see my friends...and life is, well...a little quiet, yet loud inside my head. 

I am in need of something...Natalie will be a senior, Steve's job just gets more demanding, transforming him into a new person it seems. Serena-driving-when did she get her training wheels off her bike? And me? I have been through some terrible things these past two years and yet I feel terribly the same. 

I am in need of something that doesn't say wife or mother or medical patient...yet I keep tagging my failures of each of those things into myself as weight that keeps me from the successes I need to move on as a whole PERSON. 

I am in need of courage. Strength. Confidence. So much love...

I need Him.