Joshua is at the end of his basketball season. He has three more games this week and then it will be time to turn in the uniform. It is pretty amazing to see how far these boys have come in just a couple of months. The games are not very high scoring but they do execute plays and more times than not, they look like they know what they are doing. So far, they are undefeated. This has been a great experience for Josh. I remember those days of playing on a team. It went a long way in making me feel a part of a community. Growing up, we lived in Germany for 6 years. When we moved to Lodi, I was going into seventh grade, the same grade that Josh is in now. Lodi was a small, rural community very similar to Ransomville. It was hard to break into those tight knit groups of kids that had grown up together. Being on a team helped me find my place. I am grateful for the opportunities the boys get to help them find their place. In the photo below, he is #12.
Kaleb still needs help finding his place. I think of the four of us, he is the one still struggling the most. He was invited to a birthday party yesterday and had a great time. We need a few more opportunities like that for him!
I am in job search mode at moment. We have placed a high priority on my staying home and being around for the boys. Through it all, I have had many part-time jobs and opportunities, but have been able to maintain a virtually full-time presence at home. As any of you who have made similar choices know, it requires sacrifices. Up until now the sacrifices have been things like vacations, clothing, eating out, and I am sure the boys would be quick to add, game systems and other cool things ALL the other kids have. Mostly things that we don't "need". Now the sacrifices are becoming a bigger deal. The boys both need orthodontic care, Josh may need glasses, we have 2 cars with over 150,000 miles, and the ever rising cost of heating our home. I can look back and know God has provided for our needs. It is a rather humbling picture actually, his provisions have come in many ways and through many people. I know he will continue to care for us. I realize, however, that I am the only component of the equation that has options. Greg is where he is called to be and last I knew, it was illegal to put my kids to work at their age (kidding!!). That leaves me and the part time jobs I have are not enough. Yesterday, I took a civil service exam. That was interesting! Whether that will actually lead to a job, only God knows. I have sent a variety of applications out and made lots of phone calls. I don't need to tell you that NOW isn't exactly the best time to be looking for a job, lol! My response is only to be faithful and continue to look for the door that God opens. I have no idea when or where that will be. These are interesting times. God's timing isn't our timing and his economy is not ours either. He owns the cattle on a 1000 hills so he has an answer to my seeking.
On Saturday we plan to drive south for a short get away. The kids have a week off of school starting Friday. We wanted to go see our friends, the Viele's, who moved to Myrtle Beach last summer. It is one of those things that we can't afford to do, yet we can't afford not to do either. We need a break and a little sunshine won't hurt either! Thankfully, the cost of gas is once again reasonable and we are packing a cooler with sandwiches and hitting the road. We can't wait!! It will be so good to see them. Along the way, we are stopping at Jen and Mario's house for a couple of nights. They are almost the midway point to Myrtle Beach, making our last leg only 7-8 hours. We plan to visit the Smithsonian Air and Space museum next Sunday. My next post will hopefully have photos of our trip.
That covers most of it for now. We are grateful for all of you and who you are in our lives!!
1 comment:
HOORAY!!! not for you looking for a job...that stinks! we are beyond excited to see you! somehow seeing it in writing here makes it seem more official! =)
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