Yes, it has been a while since I blogged. A lot has happened in this last month. My sons older brothers house burnt down and they all three stayed with us for a weekend which was a very stressful time in our lives. Bobby is still living with us and it continues to be a stressful situation so I ask for prayer that gods will be accomplished and we are positive role models. We worked hard to get John (the oldest brother) a place in John 3:16 mission. He got accepted (THEY ONLY HAD ONE OPENING IN THE LAST TWO YEARS) In the end, he turned down the help and chooses to be homeless. I guess there comes a time when you have to move on and quit offering help. There is only so much you can do when the person who needs it will nto accept or acknowledge that they need help.
So, onto why I am writing this blog: We had our first meeting with our guide last week and let me tell you. I am excited, scared, nervous, and full of anticipation. We talked about how the kids will be our guides (most of them barely read a map) and we can not help them. Then, I think how God gives us a great map to follow and we often choose to not even read it. He offers help and we deny it. These kids will get some help, only to keep them from danger, but for the most part we as sponsors will be followers. Now, thpose that know me, know how hard it will be for me to be a foloower and watch these kids make mistakes that will effect me, at times, in a major way. (I can do it, Yes, I can) We also talked about the one on one time they will have with themselves and God. A full 24 hours of no interaction with any other adults, just them, their sleeping bag, their pen and paper and bible and some water. (fasting for 24 hours) This makes me think about how many of us could use this time of reflection for ourselves. We are all so busy with all the day to day routine. We never take time to really reflect on ourselves and what is important. Marriages are falling apart so fast I can not remember who is married and who is not anymore. People hit a rough patch and divorce seems to be the easiest route these days. (I have no room to judge becasuse I was there once, but I am more mature now.) We all need a time of reflection. I have started trying to do this for ten minutes a day. (Do you know how hard it is for me to sit in one spot with no noise and be still for ten minutes? Neither do I, cause I have not made it to ten minutes yet.) The deadline to sign up is coming and we will know for sure how many kids have decided to take this challenge. I am so excited to start working with them to earn money to go and to maybe do a few hikes before the actual trip. I still need prayer for the heights thing. I am going to try and do the repelling but I need to get past the initial fear of going over the edge. If I do this, it will be the ultimate test for me. Trusting in someone else and something else. I have always needed to have control over every aspect of my life and my childrens, OK, and Jasons. HAHA This might even be a chance for me to get closer to God than these teens. I am going in this hoping so. I want to give control over to God. What better way than to give it over to teens and hope they are listening to what God has to say to them and listen to his direction instead of their own.
I have to go pick the kids up from school, but I will say that a month ago, my life was pretty easy going. I know God has to keep us on our toes and he is def. doing that right now. There are lots of issues and challenges going on and I really do not feel I can write about it all with a clear mind right now. I wish I could becasue I know there are lessons for others in my trials from the past month. I guess it is just hard to write about when the trials are still on going. I ask for prayer in those trials and also in the upcoming trip we are going on in July. (Yes, seems so far away, but it will be here before we know it.)
God's power helps me to do what is right. "Be holy, becasue I am holy!" 1 Peter 1:16
