Still Here!

A big THANKS for all your prayers! I owe you an update on things. We had our van repaired and this time, praise God, it was a minimal one. Our poor van has 136,000 miles on it so it is reaching the point where we will need to be prepared to replace it. The longer we can hold out, the better!

Things at church are interesting. It has been a very difficult week or two for many in our congregation. We have been praying for a family with a baby girl undergoing a very serious operation. She has a genetic defect with her intestines and last week they had to remove all of her large intestines. It has been a minute by minute deal at times but God has done some amazing things! In church on Sunday we were praying she would pee. If she wasn't able to do so they would have to take her back into surgery. No matter is too big or small for God. They set a deadline of 6 pm for her to pee. Have you ever prayed for someone to pee before??!! It is serious yet humorous at the same time. I won't leave you hangin', she peed at 5:55pm! Have you ever rejoiced over someone peeing?? We did! Her parents are not believers and we have had the opportunity to love and support them, pray with them, and more. God has used this situation to impact these people and our church.

As I look around on Sundays we are seeing new people every week. Broken, hurting people. I am overwhelmed at times as to how I can or should meet all these needs. God gently reminds me it is not my job, at least not mine alone. It is no mistake that we are in the middle of the 40 days of community at church. I am so excited to see so many people participate in a small group. We are taking on a posture of surrender, growth, healing and so much more. That is why we also have so many burdens to carry at the moment. Satan seeks to divide and discourage. We are pressing on.

My boys have long asked when they can sign up for Boy Scouts. Greg thought the age to start was 12 so Joshua has been waiting his turn. Greg and I decided to look up information so when the time came, we would know who to call. We discovered it is actually 11 years of age or 6th grade. Last night Greg took Josh to his first troop meeting. He came home with a neckerchief, hat and some patches. He was excited! They are transitioning to new leadership and the 2 people taking over are Eagle scouts and very young (21). Let's hope that just means more enthusiasm and energy for the task! They are doing a Klondike this weekend (don't ask me what that is) and Greg is going to take Josh just for part of the day on Saturday. It works out well that the troop meetings are on Tuesday nights, a good night for Greg to attend with him. I am not sure who is more excite, Josh or Greg.

I took Kaleb with me last night to a stamping class I was teaching. He was my helper and he did a great job! In the past month or two my stamping business has just taken off. That is a good thing and I am grateful for the opportunities that have presented themselves.

We have had bitter cold temperatures here, crazy wind and snow. Several of our trees and a lilac bush have lost branches, big ones. Spring clean up will be fun.

I have housecleaning calling my name today. Maybe I will go turn up the music so I can't hear it, lol!