This commentary by Chuck Colson on oil was also interesting.

Break Point 7/16

Blessings,

Barb

Heard this "BreakPoint" commentary the other day and thought it was very interesting.  Perhaps we should take a lesson from China as we explore "genetic engineering."

Break Point 7/14

Blessings,

Barb

Our plans to go blueberry picking were likely divinely intercepted.  All along, I wasn't really sure we should spend the money for berries and for gas to get there.  Turns out it was steadily raining when we woke.  We were dressed, packed up and ready to head out the door when one of the other families going called and said they weren't going.  Maybe if the weather broke, they'd go in the afternoon.  We were still determined to go as I had checked the weather online and worse storms, high winds and hail were predicted for the afternoon.  We figured we'd better get it done sooner rather than later.  DH grabbed the rain jackets and we were ready.  However, on an "impulse," I called the orchard and they said the weather was bad already, thunder and lightening, and they wouldn't let us pick.  So we got in the car, stopped at Home Depot, and went to our soon-to-be home.  DH continued to tear out the pantry shelves.  I pulled a few weeds and primed the bedroom closet.  DH went shopping with his brother to get some bakers racks, and I later went out with him to look at paint.  We brought back samples and DH approved the color scheme and wallpaper border for the living room and dining room.

We missed our discipleship class Sunday because DH had a headache and the church had a pretty serious congregational meeting about hiring an associate minister.

And VBS started yesterday, so we are very busy.  I shop on a daily basis (sometimes multiple trips) for DH's supplies/groceries.  Last night he served turkey tettrazini and baked mostaccioli, salad, garlic bread and jello cake.  Tonight he's making beef ribs, BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, cole slaw, and chocolate cake or brownies for dessert.  We just got back from my mom's -- she asked me to be there when the cable guy came (thought he couldn't hook it up and will have to reschedule).  I took a few school assignments for the kids, but we weren't there long and didn't get as much done as I'd hoped.  We shopped (DH didn't work today, so he was with us) and got McD's for lunch, and now he is starting to fix dinner for the VBS crew.  I'm so grateful that the church found someone to help with the janitorial duties this week, as it was just too much last year for him to work all day and then cook dinner for the staff and still have to make the building presentable for the next night's program. 

I'm going to fold a load of laundry and do a few dishes in a moment, and then 6yodd and I go to violin at 3:45.  Perhaps I can sneak in a short "zzzz" before we go, but I want to be a good helpmeet and be available to DH if he needs anything.

Life is crazy right now, but I'm really striving to focus more on his needs than my own needs, and especially my wants.  I'm struggling to keep quiet instead of making suggestions about things that I think he should consider, and letting him rely on God's leading and letting him lead.  My guy does value my input, but I think I can have too much influence on him.  This is hard for me.  I'm reading that it's wrong and disrepectful and proud of me to think I know better, that I have the answers, that God is speaking to me.  By doing this, I am not letting him lead, and I'm not honoring and respecting and revering his role.  Oooo this is hard.  But I'm trying.  Please pray for me.

Blessings,

Barb

I'm ashamed to admit that I can't remember when the last time was DH and I slept in our bed.  It had been occupied by "the laundry monster" for far too long.  Not having a laundry room (or anything resembling it -- our apartment style [washer on bottom, dryer on top] machine sits in our kitchen),  the monster does not have a lot of choices where he is going to reside.  It's either the dining room table, one of the couches, or our bed.  I relegated him to the bed.  Perhaps it was an "out of sight, out of mind" decision, as I could more easily close the door and ignore him.

DH is wonderful.  He never complains.  Since our kids prefer to camp out on the living room floor than in their own rooms (I know - don't gasp! - they love the togetherness), and since our bed is not the "sleep number" I need and often gives me back aches whereas the couch seems to be my perfect "sleep number", we often all end up in the living room together.  (Don't worry, there are other places husband and wife can be alone! :-)  Oh, sorry, too much information!)

However, I've been pouring over "Created to Be His Helpmeet."  The chapter I just finished had me list, among other things, three things I could do to make home a haven for my husband.  I decided one of them was to banish the laundry monster and commit to never letting him take up occupancy in our room again.  This means, of course, he may take up occupancy elsewhere.  I can set out to always have the laundry folded and put away, and believe me, I'm going to try -- again.  But there will come times when it's all I can do to manage to get it washed and dryed.  With God as my help, I will do a better job at this.  Debi Perl reminded me that my husband was not created to be my helper, but I was created to be his, and he shouldn't have to worry about the laundry.  (Though this wonderful man often does help and never complains about my inability to keep up with it all.  Another thing in my list was to brag on him, so I'm doing that now!)

He was so surprised when he cames in from grilling (having just returned from the vet with the dog) to see the bed freshly made!

I'll say more about DH and being his helpmeet later, but for now, let me whole-heartedly encourage you, if you haven't read this wonderful took, to do so.

Created to Be His Help Meet: Discover How God Can Make Your Marriage Glorious (affiliate link)

 Blessings,

Barb

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone.

-- Lin Yutang

"O Lord, may I be directed what to do and what to leave undone."

-- Elizabeth Fry

I'm told the weatherman said that today would be a "perfect day."  And it was.  Sunshine.  82.  Barely a cloud.  A bit of sunburn to show for it.  We hung out at my uncle's while 14yods volunteered, then I went to pick him up, he treated us all to McD's, and we swam all afternoon.  The water temp was wonderful.  I didn't even get that cringe as I stepped in to waist level, like I usually do.  The kids had a great day, and enjoyed having their cousin around.  She came home with us from a family b-day party Monday evening and will go home tomorrow.  It's been good.  Thought it was a fairly relaxing day -- after swim, picked up dh, then fixed dinner and had couple's small group -- my arthritis is acting up, so I "popped some pills" and I'll be off to bed momentarily.

I think we're going blueberry picking on Saturday instead of working on the new place.  I think we all need a Saturday off.  Though I had a list of tasks I wanted accomplished, the kids have been looking forward to picking since last year, so we should have a good time.

I'd appreciate your prayers for our financial situation, as DH's work has been sort of closed for over a week now.  He was off all last week, all but two days this week, and is only "on call" for next week.  This is a big hit financially, and I'd covet your lifting us up in prayer for God's provision.  He never fails.  I need to be faithful and trust.

Tomorrow morning I'll try to get these piles of clothing out of my living room and then the kids have dentist appointments in the afternoon.  DH will work late tomorrow.

For those of you checking out my used book sale, sorry that I haven't added more.  DH still has to go through his cookbooks, but rest assured that some great books will be posted, hopefully soon.  (Next week is VBS, and he's cooking dinner for staff every night, but hopefully he can make some progress on that front.)

Blessings,

Barb

FOR TODAY - July 8, 2008

Outside my Window...dusk with clouds ready to unload

I am thinking...I'm so glad to have another pre-move task checked off my list.

I am thankful for...my Mr. Steady.

From the kitchen...dishes still in the sink after hubby made dinner.

I am creating...a color scheme for the living and dining rooms.

I am going...swimming with the kids tomorrow.

I am wearing...capri jeans and a short-sleeve blue top.

I am reading..."Created to Be His Help-Meet" - WOW!

I am hoping...to find some dresses for my daugther at the resale shop sale on Saturday.

I am hearing...the useless whir of the air conditioner which seems to only blow warm air.

Around the house...piles of hand-me down clothes, some to keep, some to pass on to others.

One of my favorite things...is not being hot and sweaty, which unfortunately, I am right now.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...priming the yellow walls in my new bedroom closet and pantry.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...don't have one.  Need to take one.

Whew!  DH brought down from our storage room all the bags and boxes of clothing we had packed away for the next child who would fit in them.  We decided that we didn't want to cart around so many clothes.  There is a 10 year difference between our oldest boy and our next boy, so saving and lugging around clothes that long . . . enough is enough.  So I sorted through it all today.  The 12/14/16 items are going to a friend.  Everything 7 or 8 and up went to Amvets.  Items size 6 and a few 7s are sprawled on my living room floor right now.  We also have bags of 2T/3T and will save the 4s as son #2 outgrows them for son #3 who is right behind him by a year or so.  Once the little guy outgrows them, they're going to Amvets.  If God provides another child, He'll provide the clothing, as well as the clothing for sons 2 & 3 as they get bigger.  Our 7yodd's clothes are being handed down to a friend's daughters.  I did manage to find some 7s/8s from our niece, I think, so those will serve well for the coming year as well as what she gets for her birthday next week.  There is also a sale at a local resale shop Saturday, so I think I'm going to stop by there and see what I can get.

A friend brought by some of hew nephews hand-me-downs for our little guys a week or so ago, and I'm amazed at the quality and lack of wear on the items.  Some even still had the tags on them.  Wow!  What a blessing!

Our daughter's violin teacher today suggested that dd apply next Spring for the local youth orchestra.  This is no small thing in our big city.  I'm kinda blown away.  I mean, I think she has talent, but I'm just the mom, right?!  She said practice would be Saturdays.  OK, so a busy homeschool family -- every Saturday during the school year?!  Not so sure.  But we have a year to decide.  I guess we'll just wait and see.  In the meantime, she is eager to learn some sacred pieces, so I think I'll get her a sacred songbook for her b-day.

Blessings,

Barb

Another day spent at our home-to-be.  Friends came by and they were such a help and a blessing.  The husband removed the broken disposal and put the sink back together.  The wife helped remove pictures from frames and swept and mopped.  We moved my in-laws old couch to the alley and the old freezer to the garage.  We moved my m-i-l's old day bed into the living room.  We sorted through and shredded lots of papers.  And my sis-in-law took crates of linens and memoriabilia and stuff like silver trays, bowls with silver rims, etc., to go through and decide who gets what.  We are completely exhausted.  Still, hubby keeps going.  The "replacement janitor" didn't do the church cleaning this week, so we are trying to do a quick touch-up before church tomorrow.

I sold two items on Half.com so far.  Not sure it's really worth the effort.  I think my net income was $0.02 for one video.  Oh well.  At least it's out of my house.  I fear much of it will end up in a dumpster.  Wish I knew someone that was having a garage or yard sale and had a place to store my for sale items.  I just don't have the desire to expend the effort or the space to stage it all.

Still, we're not getting much school done this summer.  But the kids are having fun.  They're playing in the sprinkler now with some friends.  We went to a July 4th cookout, parade and fireworks on Thursday, and another cookout with "unofficial" fireworks able to be viewed from the back yard on Friday.  They've gone to the zoo, a ball game, and a movie, as well as swimming several times, and we still have an amusement park trip planned.

Oh yes, and God is good.  While cleaning today, we came across a $100 bill that was left in my m-i-l's checkbook.  Actually, the old check copies had been put in the shred pile, but our friend's son, who was shredding discovered it when it dropped to the floor.  What an unexpected blessing.  It paid for the sink repairs and will help pay for the pantry tile, paint and shelving.  Thank you, Lord.

Any handy people interested in building a new porch, spackling, laying flooring, painting, whatever . . . we'd love you help! ;-)

Blessings,

Barb

God works through everything, right?  Well, today, while we were all getting into the car at our home-to-be after spending the day cleaning, we apparently left a tote bag full of school books on the sidewalk.  After asking my bro-in-law to check, the bag is confirmed to be gone.  Someone probably saw it, thought they might have hit a jackpot, and walked off with it.  I keep hoping, after realizing that it's school books, they'll just put it back.  But what is God to work through this?  Am I not supposed to continue to do sporadic school over the summer, considering all the work that needs to be done for the move?  Or do I try to replace the books?

Any wisdom here would be greatly appreciated.

Blessings,

Barb

Dear Friends,

I have just listed -- at my Half.com account -- a few books I've decided to "discard" instead of box up and move our new home, and we will be listing many more as we continue this process of packing.  If you especially like cookbooks, please be patient as "chef hubby" will be weeding through his many, many cookbooks over the next several weeks, choosing which ones to keep and which ones to get rid of.  So please check back often.

Whatever doesn't sell by August 23 will likely go in the nearest dumpster.

I hope you find something that might interest you.

Blessings,

Barb

So my bro-in-law tells me yesterday that his pet corn snake got out of its cage -- in our  soon-to-be home!  I am not thrilled at this news.  Why could it not be missing in his flat?!  Of course, I guess that wouldn't matter much as it's likely to travel through the heating ducts.  Ahhhhhh!

Blessings,

Barb

Blessings,

Barb

If you have GUYS, this would be a great book for them. We are still working on it, but it's been enjoyable for my dh and my 14yods so far.

Captain Jeff Struecker is now an Army Chaplain, but he was in Mogadishu and many other places, and unlike most Army Rangers, admits to being afraid.

Capt. Struecker will be a guest speaker at this year's Father-Son Camp, which my guys are attending, so in advance of that, we're reading the book aloud.

I haven't decided if I want my 14yo to see the movie ("Black Hawk Down"), as it is quite graphic. But the book is a good read.

Blessings,

Barb

The Road to Unafraid: How the Army's Top Ranger Faced Fear and Found Courage through Black Hawk Down and Beyond By Captain Jeff Struecker with Dean Merrill / Thomas Nelson Jeff Struecker, eventual winner of the Army's Best Ranger competition, was one of the elite U.S. soldiers sent into Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 as part of a U.N. peacekeeping operation. Their mission: to break the grip of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid in order to quell the civil war and famine that was ravaging the country. Struecker and his fellow Rangers, plus others, fought side by side against overwhelming odds. For eighteen harrowing hours, some of the soldiers remained trapped and wounded in the most hostile district of Mogadishu. A rescue convoy, headed by Struecker, was mounted to retrieve them. He led the convoy back into the hell of battle not once, but twice, determined to rescue downed soldiers, all the while expecting to die himself. In this riveting book, Struecker recounts the stories of his life as a top Ranger, from the frontlines of every U.S. initiative since Panama-moments where God met him and delivered peace in the midst of certain death. He also recounts his journey of becoming a full-time chaplain so he could teach his fellow Rangers how to have the "peace that passes all understanding."

I didn't need to be convinced that what I am doing is of eternal value, but I did need to be reminded that God is glorified even in what I might consider the mundane, in that "dying to self" and in the serving. After all, Christ came to serve. I'm reminded that I have a long way to go before I have developed the heart of Christ. I grow weary of laundry and weary of dishes and weary of cleaning. Yet it is in joyfully performing these acts of service for my family that God will be glorified. And yes, it is even in my failure that He will be glorified.

It is easy to buy into that "success" mentality -- that if I keep a clean house, run everything on a schedule, have well-spoken and well-behaved and well-read children who are above-average academically (and not all are!) -- that I have succeeded as a stay-at-home, homeschool mom. I need to be reminded that, while I may be obedient in some areas, it is God who causes the growth, the success as some would call it. I need to check that pride. And in those areas where I am not obedient (i.e., still a work-in-progress), in need to remember that God can work in spite of my failures, and that it doesn't all depend on me. There is a freedom in realizing that I am not the "make it or break it" factor here! Wow! If I will just remember that, then the burden truly is light and the yoke is easy.

I'm looking forward to finishing this book, and will perhaps comment more as I go through it, but I highly recommend this book.

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God: Fresh Vision for the Hopeful Homemaker By Jennie Chancey & Stacy McDonald / Vision Forum Filled with encouragement and words of wisdom, Passionate Housewives is written for women who aspire to live in obedience to Christ, but struggle to reconcile society's definition of womanhood with God's Word. Learn why the "desperate housewife" is a myth and discover why women should embrace their god-given role as a homemaker and helpmeet. Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey show how you can find true contentment in God's order and discover overwhelming joy by dying to self. 206 pages, paperback.

Blessings,

Barb

I'm really trying not to stress the fact that my ds is starting high school next year.  I'm struggling to balance the freedom we homeschoolers have to direct our child's education and gear their course of study to their interests and God-given talents with . . . ok, college entrance requirements.  There, I've confessed it.  I by no means want college admissions officers to dictate what we do in our homeschool.  Having said that, I also feel I need to equip him with the education that he needs to obtain a college education should he so desire.

Now, knowing my ds the way I do, I suspect that he may not go to college, but may simply enter an apprenticeship or certificate program.  His heart's desire since he was 8 was to be a pilot -- either a missionary or rescue pilot (but not military, I think).  He's often said he wants to take supplies to missionaries and provide transportation for them.  His love of animals also factors into that a bit as he'd love to be able to transport animals in some manner, possibly as part of a rescue team or something.

We've looked into Missionary Aviation Fellowship, and a couple universities that offer aviation programs.  There is one nearby, as I suspect he would not be very likely or eager to attend school far away from home.  He could attend the one nearby and live at home.  Or he could attend a private flight school, but I'm concerned about cost for that option.  Though I think a certificate (non-degree) program would not qualify for scholarships, either.  I'm not sure.

Anyway, here is what we have planned for this year:

Bible:  "Discovering A Christ-Like Character" (Deeper Roots Publications)

Language:  Winston Grammar Advanced & Writing Strands

**writing is an area that is a huge struggle, and he is being tutored this summer by his uncle in the hopes that he will make great improvement

Math:  Saxon Algebra 1/2 supplement with D.I.V.E. video instruction

**I wanted to start with Algebra 1, but just don't feel he is strong enough.

History:  Medieval, Reformation and Renaissance History (Beautiful Feet)

**This follows the Ancient History we did this year.  We love Beautiful Feet, but when unpacking the books, I was a bit overwhelmed and the "heavyness" of many of the texts.  Not being a really strong reader, I will likely be reading a lot of this aloud to him.  (To help with the reading, I'm hoping to do a speed reading course this summer.)

Science:  Exploring Creation through Physical Science (Apologia)

Health:  Switched on Schoolhouse Health

Foreign Language:  Latin American Spanish I (Rosetta Stone)

It seems a lot to me.  I looked at the 28 credit hours suggested for high school, split that by 4, which means 7 periods a day.  Yikes.  I thought, and a friend said, "That's like being in regular school."  That's exactly my struggle.  But he and I talked about perhaps doing either Spanish or Health in the evenings after dinner, to not make the day so long.

Later on, in perhaps his junior or senior year, I'm looking at two online aviation courses that will also qualify for college credit, so that should be exciting.

For our 7yodd, the following is planned:

• Bible: Explorer's Bible Study
• Math: Horizons Grade 2
• Language Arts:  Learning Language Arts Through Literature (finishing red and proceeding through yellow at her own pace as she is advanced); supplemented with Draw, Write, Now and/or A Reason for Handwriting for penmanship (which is pretty awful at the moment!) and Explode the Code for spelling/phonics
• Other: Five in a Row

This time of year is so exciting, but also a serious responsibility, as we seek to lead our children in the path God has planned for them.

Blessings,

Barb

Seven years ago, we accepted a position with our church as resident custodian, and moved into a 2 bedroom plus huge loft apartment in the eaves of the church building.  It's a unique setup.  The position comes with no income per se, but the apartment and all utilites except phone are paid for.  When the part-time janitor resigned, we took on that part-time position as well, which was a paid position, and have had that position on and off over the seven years based on DH's health.  Over time, we have come to realize that the two part-time positions, over and above DH's full-time job as chef, have become too much work for us.  Yes, our 14yods now helps dad with mowing and church cleaning.  But the work is still too much, and still takes up time that DH could be spending with our children, especially our soon-to-be man.  The elder's have offered to move some of the custodial work to the janitorial position and would like us to stay on as custodians.  But we are determined.  Even moreso after this latest health concern.

We are moving to the other side of the city into the home DH and his family lived in for many years.  His single brother still lives there, after the loss of both his parents and his single sister over the span of the last 5 years.  His brother will occupy the upstairs flat, and we will occupy the main level flat and part of the basement.  There is much work to do.  But we feel peace about the decision, and DH feels a heavy load off his shoulders.  (Of course, his is a bit overwhelmed at all that needs to be done to accomplish the move!)

When we moved in here seven years ago, we thought we'd only be here a couple years and then be able to afford a home of our own.  But in that time, DH had several bouts of pancreatitis and has been dealing with diabetes and high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and we have added 3 more children and a dog to the family.  God is good.  He provided his place rent free prior to us knowing DH would be out of work for a while.  We would surely have been evicted from the apartment we were living in prior to the move here for non payment of rent when he got sick.  The church apartment was truly a blessing.

But while I would prefer 10 acres somewhere out of the city -- way out -- we are no closer to being able to afford our own place.  When you choose to live on one income, you must make sacrifices.  But the blessing of being able to stay home and home disciple our children is worth it.  I don't know what God may be preparing us for next.  I know things will be difficult.  There will be loss of income.  There will be utilities to pay.  There will be perhaps real estate taxes and/or other expenses to contribute towards.  (Thankfully, there is no mortgage on the house, so a large rent payment will not be necessary.  DH still needs to sit down with his brother and iron out the details of the agreement.  But his brother is excited we are moving in.)  I look around us at the high gasoline prices, the exhorbitant housing costs (and though they're going down in the housing slump, they're still way beyond affordable for us). the increased cost of everything, even groceries at Aldi -- and I'm concerned.  I truly believe the economy will get much worse before it gets better.  Some are even predicting another "Great Depression."  Perhaps we need to move elsewhere to get through all that is coming.  Perhaps someone else is in need of this apartment and it is time for us to move on.  I can't see the big picture.  Only God can.  But we are confident that He is in this.

And while I love my church (I've been here since I was a newborn), we also believe it may be time for us to look elswhere for a church family.  We are the only homeschoolers in our congregation.  It has been difficult over the years.  We are different.  Our 14yods has not attended youth groups since he was perhaps 8.  While our homeschool support group is our lifeline in our home discipleship way of life, it would be nice to attend a church with likeminded home discipleship families, where fathers are equipped and even held accountable to "train up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," where children and youth and teen programs are not the mainstay/backbone, but where families participate in activities as families and children are not always "in the back" with a child care provider.

We started a monthly hymn sing at our church about two years ago, in the hopes of encouraging others to embrace home discipleship (whether they chose to homeschool or not).  And while we have good attendance, the concept -- really, the command -- to home disciple is still strange to everyone here.  (Perhaps it is partly due to the very large numbers of public school educators and administrators in our congregation.  While I applaud those Christians who enter that area of work hoping to make an impact, I still feel that those children in the school system have been "thrown to the wolves.")  We have tried intergenerational Sunday School, which was received with mixed reviews and would certainly not be allowed to replace the current age-segregated Sunday School environment.

Anyway, I've gone on too long.  We plan to be completely moved by the end of August.  So we are aggressively "lightening the load."  I have no desire to have a yard sale, so unfortunately, the dumpsters are getting quite full.  But I feel a sense of accomplishment that there is less "stuff."

Blessings,

Barb

After "bottoming out" his blood sugar about an hour before we were to leave for the concert, here we sit, missing the concert.  He decided he didn't want to battle the 46,000 or so other people and his weakness & shaking.  Now, 91 is not a really low number, and I keep reminding him that around there is exactly where his sugar is supposed to be.  But it's like going on a diet.  When you start giving your body less food, it screams for more.  The problem with the diabetes is, if numbers are continually much higher than where they're supposed to be -- since he's usually in the 200s (yikes, I know) -- then the disease is free to do all kinds of other nasty things to your body.  Thus, the problem with his left ventricle.

I was able to "bless" two friends with the tickets, though they did reimburse me for the cost, and they just sent me a text message that they're having a great time.  Hubby is sad.

Blessings,

Barb

So DH is supposed to be resting.  We all got up early to day our 14yods to his volunteer job, then took the younger ones to the park.  I think he did more lifting than he should have.  I needed a potty break, so we went to a nearby McD's, got a couple drinks, and let the kids play in the playplace.  Then ran to Jewel (he and kids stayed in the car), then to pick up the young volunteer.  We had packed a picnic lunch, but realized the lunchmeat was spoiled, so stopped and picked up McD's before heading to my uncle's to swim.  It was raining wh en we got there, but soon cleared up and we enjoyed the day.  Still, I think he did too much playing with the kids.

After swimming, we came home, I started pizza crust in the bread maker and ran some errands.  Our 14yods was to mow the church lawn on the tractor, but when I returned from my errands I discovered DH on the mower.  (ugh)  By the time we finished dinner, we were all so exhausted we each picked a spot on the floor or a couch, one of us fell asleep, the boys put on a movie, and DH and I just collapsed.

Needless to say, it was not an incredibly restful day for him, and I'm a bit alarmed as he now has joint pain in his right knee.  I'm concerned, as it's the same side they inserted the scope, and am wondering if it's something we need to call the doctor about.  I know he will muddle through as we have concert tickets for tomorrow and he would do just about anything not to miss it.

I tried to get him to ask for help with the church cleaning, but he insists he can do it.  I'm not so sure now.  There is still quite a bit to do, and I've told our 14yods he needs to get up early and get an hour plus done before the day's meetings start in the morning.

I am even more convinced now that we are making the right decision in moving.  I'm thinking I still haven't elaborated on that one.  I need to do that.  But honestly, I'm too tired now.

If you've been praying, we are so grateful, and ask that you continue to remember him in your prayers, as they will be periodically monitoring his heart to check for improvement or decline in its function.

Blessings,

Barb

Blessings,

Barb