Posted in Family Life

Way too much, to say the least.

The uncle is saved now! I don't know if I mentioned that in the last post about him. He's still weakening, though, and I know he won't beat this. Miracles can happen, but God showed us years ago what we would be doing here shortly and He's bringing it all together very quickly. The uncle is a part of that, and while we can't imagine not having him here with us, at least we know we'll have him around for eternity now.

One of the ladies in my church had a baby just over a month ago, and then nearly lost her. She was only about four or five pounds, and only three weeks early, which should have been a good sign that something wasn't right. About an hour after birth, she began bleeding from her lungs and was airlifted to a bigger hospital about two hours away. She couldn't breathe on her own, and nearly died several times, but we had people clear across the country praying for her. When she finally began improving, the father asked how long until she could go home; the doc said they had no way of knowing because "these babies always die." They still don't know what was wrong, but she's home, healthy and putting on weight. If you think of it, pray for the mom; she's buying into the lie that God is punishing her for her past. I firmly believe He's trying to grow her faith and she'll come out stronger in Him on the other side.

The abuse ministry is going well, and really touching lives. I don't know that I've mentioned this before; you can check it out at armsonline.org. It's a Scripture-based domestic abuse program that helps women see who God believes they are (His precious children!), and then gives them the tools to heal. It neither promotes divorce nor staying in the abuse, but rather teaches that you can't heal completely without Jesus Christ, and that He will tell them what the best decision is based on His plans for their life. If you'd like to know more, check out the website or send me a personal email. I'm very particular about proper understanding and use of Scripture, and this is the only program I've seen that does that. I'm personally watching lives change every week.

The Girls Night Out/Stonecroft/Christian Women's Club group is having some issues. Mostly, the economy is making women question whether they can go out for coffee and socializing. But our chairperson is moving one year into her two year shift, and I refuse to step up to do it because I can't. But I've been involved in leading this group for three years now, and I probably would have quit if she hadn't beat me to it. Just burnout, really, and the fact that I really don't fit in with the other ladies leading this. Most of them are local girls who all grew up together, have all the connections in town, and most of them have money. I'm definitely not in their circle. Maybe I'm just feeling a little frustrated with it all; we'll see what happens once we get a new chair, probably in the next month or two.

Women's ministry at church seems to be doing okay (with the exception of no one showing up for Bible study tonight -- two with unpredictable infants, two out of town, two sick and two probably facing busy weeks that I don't know about). The ladies are enjoying our social events and finally really getting to know each other well enough to open up with one another. We're heading to a local farm co-op for the corn maze and harvest activities this weekend, and then to the Nutcracker in Spokane in December, both repeat activities that we all look forward to. Now if I can just get everyone back to Bible study as well...

Still don't have anyone for the children's ministry, but the four of us doing it on a rotating schedule are handling it okay. One of the board members made us shelves, so we're finally trying to get it all organized. It actually looks like a tornado hit it right now.

The worship team has gelled into a band, and a good one too. We enjoy our time together, bantering maybe a little too much now and then. I kid them that we should take the name of the Muppets' band -- Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. Would fit us, but I'm not sure Sharyn wants to be called Dr. Teeth. In all, though, worship is actually nearly distraction-free and very uplifting. But we're not perfect, so of course we have plenty to laugh about.

My sweet man was asked to teach a couple of weeks ago. This is basically the first step in training him up to be a leader of some sort. Our movement gives on-the-job training instead of seminary degrees, and then watches to see who the Lord anoints with a strong ministry; then they're sent out to start a new church somewhere. Very effective, actually. Dan's lesson was good ("but too short," as our pastor said), though I haven't heard the recording yet. I figured it was better for him that I teach Sunday School that morning. But how exciting and stressful at the same time. He had such a hard time putting it together, and knowing I do it every week was rather intimidating. Poor guy. Pastor gave him the most help, but now he's looking over my shoulder too to see how I get it done. Good learning experience, and with the way this election's going, he may need to use those skills a little faster than we once believed.

Health topics are interesting these days too. We're thinking I have an odd thyroid condition where I'm producing T3, but my body isn't converting it into T4 properly, so I get thyroid symptoms. This is why I'm always so blame cold! Wow! Somebody might have an answer for me! But the protocol is fairly intense; the only up side I can see right now (besides being warm someday) is that it's only allowed for up to one year. Long year, though. We'll see. And pray. And hope. And try to be patient. And dress warmly in the meantime.

I think that's enough for now. I have another long day tomorrow; the uncle has a chemo treatment. Please keep praying for him; he really needs to learn about God's peace and God's plan in a rather short time frame.

Maybe I'll write about my kid tomorrow.

G'night.