Feb. 16, 2007 - It's been so long, and there's too much to tell.
It's been well over a month since my last blog update, so I won't be able to share everything that's gone on since then, but here's a brief update. 
We're considering moving into a different apartment here on the property. It's currently being renovated, adding a new kitchen, utility and bathroom. Also, they're knocking out a wall making a smaller living room into a larger one. The major difference for us would be having a private utility w/d rooom right off the bathroom. In an apartment complex like this one, that's a major "perk." However, my office would no longer be private, b/c it would be in the hallway...large hallway, but still...
My mother has begun volunteering here. That's a very good thing. She's taking over food bank inventory and volunteer coordinating. Two things that I just have not been able to do. More and more I feel like my main purpose here is to pray for the director, her family, and for our "sojourners." And of course, keep praying for our foodbank visitors. That's a very emotionally draining job each Saturday, but they so appreciate it. And my mother picking up the other things is a real blessing.
A couple of weeks ago, a gal came into the foodbank for food, and said her teeth were really causing problems. In fact, she had been told at the free dental clinic, that she needed to have them all pulled. She's only 20+ years old, and was terrified of being toothless. She coudln't afford dentures, and had no insurance.
I contacted several ministerial resources, and was able to find a place that offers very inexpensive dentures and even collected enough money to pay for them for this gal. She goes in and gets them this month. Wahoo!! Praising God! She's feeling loved and cared for b/c we took a little time to try and help her out, and the Lord put the people in place needed to get the job done! I'm excited for her! 
14yos is working on an assessment to prepare for entering public school in the fall. I am very nervous about that, but I also really think he needs to be under the authority of coaches, teachers, youth pastor's, etc. He's likely to be behind in some things, ahead in others...but I'm praying the accountability of other decent influences will be a good thing.
12yod continues to struggle with her reading. She's going forward, but slowly. Last week she wanted to help me with dinner, so I told her to add two taco seasoning packages to some browning ground beef. I began to smell something funny, and when I got to the pan, realized she had added chili mix, instead. 
My initial response was to shreek at her, forgetting that she probably just assumed it was a taco seasoning packet b/c of the photo on the front. She was heartbroken when she realized that she had used the wrong packets, and began sobbing onto my shoulder. She probably just needed to try to read the label, and didn't do that...and maybe she would have figured it out. But she and I both just cried together about the whole thing. I told her this was just one of many reasons why she needed to stay focused on her reading lessons. She tends to hate doing them...but she nodded and said she would keep trying.
Our 8yos is doing his FIAR lessons, math, reading, handwriting, etc. with my mother each morning. They really love their time together, and 8yos is so incredibly smart. I decided to start letting her help with hsing him, b/c the other two need my personal attention so much these days. And, when he's here, they don't seem to be able to focus on their school work. Won't be forever, but for now...necessary.
Dh is working a lot of overtime. We need the money, but that means he's not able to participate in much that goes on around here with family, the ministry, whatever. That's probably going to get worse as time goes by, b/c he's going to be working on a new project at work, and that tends to mean more hours. 
I'm sure we'll get by....but miss him sometimes.
I'm working on my health a bit more. A physical showed my blood pressure a bit lower than just a few months ago, so that's good. And, I'm watching my food intake with www.vfl.com. It really helps to see how much fat, carbs, sodium, protein, etc. that I'm consuming each meal. Helps me balance my choices. Now, if all the silly snow and ice will melt, I can start walking daily again. 
Lord, help me to focus on today, and let You worry about tomorrow. Show me how to make Your pressence in my life known to my children, and all those living here at the ministry. You are worthy of the glory I so desperately want to give You! ~ Amen.
Comments
Feb. 16, 2007 - hey
Posted by Bettyoklpn
Glad to see you back!
