I can't believe it's been eight months since I've posted here! That's almost a WHOLE year! It's been so eventful I could fill up a blog site just with that!
The fall began and I survived. This year, I worked two full days at the Christian school. That was tough since it's a very long day. But on the flip side, it was wonderful to not have a divided mind. I was either working in the school or I was homeschooling Tori. I loved my two full days of being with her. Since she felt it was the Lord's will she homeschool for Grade 11, it has been a pleasant year. We got a lot done with Hunter occupied at school. She has done mostly ACE, has been tutored a bit by Jamie, and taken two courses through the correspondence. She is now registered for her senior year at a public school across town. I have mixed feelings but God seemed to orchestrate events so that she was accepted, and I even found out I knew the principal. We'll see how things play out in the fall. There is always homeschooling to fall back on!
As for Belle, she has done excellent this year, maintaining an average of 93%. She has made every Honour Roll each quarter is always awarded with a free school trip. This quarter we are going to the Science Centre.
Hunter has also done well with his school although he's struggled with Scripture memory, and long days. He gets bored easily but he's reading now and is extremely good in Math.
Our year continued to be full of setbacks and stresses. In September, my husband's and both girls' bikes were stolen in broad daylight right beside our house. The kids prayed and prayed but they were never recovered. At the end of October, Ron had his second surgery so he was off work again for a month. This surgery fixed the sharp pain he was having and he can now straighten it better but it continues to hurt him. He should find a new occupation but so far nothing has come up. December found him laid off for work again for the three weeks over the Christmas season. Finances were a constant worry since he is self-employed. The kids had to learn that Christmas really was about the Christ-child and not getting presents. Many wonderful friends did up providing for us, and we certainly did not lack during the holiday season! Praise the Lord!
For Christmas, we went up north to my parents to spend a few lovely days in front of the fireplace in their cozy log home. My sister and her family were there. As it always happens, everyone got sick with various and asundry ailments. Ron and Hunter were in emerg on Boxing Day. And then, we had another misfortune. Ron and Belle were in an almost head on vehicle collison on a snowy highway outside of my parents' town. God kept them safe, and our family were also in town so they were surrounded by support. Both were really shaken and Belle had a sore neck and back from the seat belt locking but otherwise they were fine. The person responsible for the accident and her passenger were also fine after a trip to emerg. Unfortunately, our van did not survive, and it was written off. We had a lovely expensive rental car for three weeks but, alas, I was not meant to enjoy it. The day we came home from my parents', I ended up sick with ongoing bladder problems and bronchitis. I spent the month of January in bed except to see doctors, specialists, and trips to the emergency. I was in so much pain I was ready to give up. I had many tests, scopes, was put under twice within four days, and eventually had emergency surgery to remove a kidney stone (11 mms OUCH!) After awhile, the pain went away but it's been a long haul getting my strength back. I am even still exhausted after running errands or doing anything physically taxing. And, to this day, my specialist has NO idea what was wrong with me. Personally, I think God healed me. My church was great! I had a lot of people praying and sending cards including my students at school. The moms were wonderful! They brought meals for a week, and then my Bible study ladies brought some meals. I have no idea how people outside the family of God make it through life!
Chronicling the calamities, in February we found out no financial institution would give us money for a new van. And to top it off, we are still paying the same amount every month only now we have one vehicle. So, we borrowed a van from some missionary friends in Africa, only to have to put money into it when their muffler fell off. Now, our SUV needs work. Last week, the van we borrowed was stolen. Again in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon. We didn't hear back from the police and assumed it had ended up in a chop shop. I was not surprised something like this would happen given the past year and a half. Four different people told me to wait and see what good God was going to bring out of this latest crisis. So, I did not rant and rave at God but waited quietly. And miracle of miracles!!!!...it was recovered yesterday, and as God would have it, we were out searching for the van when a tow truck pulled in with it in tow!!! We can NOT believe we were there at that exact point and time, at that exact place! We are so happy to have it back as we felt a great weight of responsibility for it. Ron's computer tool box was missing but everything else is intact except for the ignition.
So, even though this past year has been hell, I will end this post rejoicing in the Lord!
|
