Although both were/ are unexpected costly items that we were not prepared to meet financially, we were not asking for money, nor really looking for it. Totally to our surprise, we received unexpected money in the mailbox over the last 4 weeks now. Our car is now fixed and running. Through the process of all of this, many have been encouraged in the faith and one trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. All because the car broke down!!!!!! Our roof has been patched in the leaking spot and should make it through the winter. As I look ahead, from my "human perspective" I wonder how we are going to make it here, with me not working and Doug on a teachers salary (which is good for a teacher but sub-standard to what other professions offer). I realized that we can probably do even more cost-cutting on things and focus on becoming even better stewards of what God gives us. I DO have God's word that HE WILL provide!! DON'T MISREAD THIS- I AM NOT ASKING FOR, NOR LOOKING FOR, YOUR MONEY. I DO NOT WANT YOUR MONEY. God is using this, as part of ALL THINGS (Rom. 8:28,29) , to mold (chastisment and/or testing of faith) us and bring us to completion in Him at that day that we are with Him, face to face.And maybe for benefit of others. I do not know. We have many areas that we still need to grow in Him. I am sure that our God is faithful and will be faithful to address those specific areas at the point of need and His time. How He intimately knows our hearts and specifically what will break us so that He can begin to mold and work in those areas as we become plyable and melted. That's the Holy Spirt for you. He won't push you. It is a matter of us letting Him do the work and the leading. We thank God for He sees us through Jesus's blood He shed- through His grace [because we received Him through faith]. How precious you and I are in God's sight. What else could you and I be more thankful for? What a reason to rejoice in Him. What a reason to SEARCH out His word and be responsive to Him.
My parents are still about the same. Dad turned 65 and Mom turned 61 this month. I am not around her enough to see any further improvements in her recovery from the June 99 brain annurysm and strokes. I do observe her on the phone. She seems to be improving on speech a little. She has come a very long way to be as well off as she is. If you did not know her, you would not know that she had a brain annurysm and strokes. However, her short term memory does not seem to be improving any further. And her judgement and discernment is really off on some things. She will tell you that she has money coming in but she really does not. Dad is fighting a cold /bronchitis. Mom seems to be conerned for his stress level and the long hours he is working and she is left home alone. He does come back to the house for lunch, but it does seem to take a lot out of Him. She will make company with any sales person that calls or comes to the door. That, another can of worms in itself. Pray for them if you will. Something will need to change there. We are praying for God's moving and not ours. GOD IS GOOD.....ALL THE TIME....
OLD NEWS ....
D is settled into full swing of teaching. God has blessed D with 3 other men who really love the Lord that teach with Him. They all spend much time together inside and outside school building. They meet at least once a week to pray and sharpen each other in God's word. They mostly come to D's room b/c he has a modular unit to himself. They nicked named it the Dog House!!!
D mainly spends the most time with one teacher, Adam Young, a Cedarville grad, who is about 7 or 8 years younger than D. They are considering to do the Moody Bible course together. I really don't know where they will find the time to do it. Please pray that if they are serious that God will open up specifically the finances and an allotment to quality time.
D is also teaching Wednesday night high school class at our church. I just assist and try to keep my mouth shut & let him teach. It has been going okay, but we are only into our 4th week at time of writing this. Please pray as we have 18 /19 high school that we keep our focus on the few that are really hungry to grow. What a privedlege to serve Jesus Christ in being with young people. Pray as our prayer is that relationships might be built with each of them and that each would have a desire to really grow in Jesus Christ, knowing His joy to the fullest!!!! Pray that we have a good testimony and that they will also focus on their testimony and being real for Him and In Him.
I am busy just being at home with little one. Both of our vehicles had been having trouble. Even both broke down the same day and we were both "stranded" in different locations in Columbus!!!! God has been good in providing. Some days are easier than others. I find I get much tired easier than ever before. I am trying to focus most of my energies in "training" little one and getting our home into order.
I really do appreciate the church here. I am so amazed at how God knows my heart and my every, specific need. Especially in the area of learning to be a parent and training up little one. He has really blessed us with the leadership and this church family in using them in our life. Especially in encouragement and training on being parents & training up a child in the Lord. With many of the people here, I feel "right" at home.
I still often miss the many friends from Columbus that I don't see much. I also miss not getting down to Rio much in the last two months. Except, we did get to see John and Sarah's wedding. It was the best wedding ceremony we ever went to. Of course we liked our own because "we" got married.
D.'s sister moved down here a month ago and also got a new position in her company which now gives her " a life" outside work.
My brother and wife are pregnant!!!! Please pray for the health of the baby as one of the test showed possible linkage to Down's syndrome. Many of the test are inaccurate. And can you believe the Doctors wasted no time in ushering them into the idea of abortion procedures!!! I am so proud of my brother and wife for taking a stand and giving God the glory right there for whatever they are given and that abortion is NOT an option!!!
We are not pregnant. Public Service Announcement. Please pray for us as we seek to grow in our marriage (leadership / submission) and in parenting to really establish our "house" in the way of our LORD Jesus Christ. Having children and training them up is too heavy a responsibility to not give serious attention to the foundation of training and our marriage.
Please remember us diligently when you pray. My biggest prayer request is that I get time absolutely "alone" with God each day that I may have precious time in His word and prayer. Pray that for D too. He is able to get up very eary and do this typically. "Little one" usually beats me to the "punch"!!!! Also pray that we would be provided "literally" with a new roof over our heads. Our current 28 year old roof is leaking and shingles crumbling and bowing. Our civic is still down. Our neighbor Tami, has been doing some work on it and towing it to some garage over the hollar where they do a good job and give reasonable pricing. As we don't have extra money around, we are looking to God to provide. He is and He will!!!