We started out last week on a quiet note. The boys got their work done with little to no argument. Life was good. Then Wednesday comes. This is our go non-stop day. We have errands to run, lunch with Chris, Spanish lessons and CCD. At CCD they had a family mass. This is an opportunity to attend a mass catered to children. It was so sad to see these kids (some as young as 1st grade) dropped off by their parents. The parents wouldn't even stay to attend mass with their children. For many, it seemed like this was one of the few times they had even been to church. Our diocese has passed a rule that children must have two years prior religious education before being allowed to participate in 1st Communion, Confirmation or in the hispanic culture, they must take 2 consecutive years in order to have a Quiensenera. While I applaud this and think it is a wonderful idea, it also means children are being taken out of obligation to reach a goal, rather than out of love of learning about our Savior Jesus Christ. I pray for these families, that they will find the Love of Christ.

Thursday was an answer to a prayer. After much prayer and frustration, Chris began looking for another job about a month ago. He has long since been miserable at his job but was toughing it out in order to provide for his family. I have wanted to move back to Houston for a long time so he started looking in the Houston area. He also sent one resume out to Texas A&M here locally but wasn't hopeful since he has been trying to get a job at A&M for almost 8 years now. Well, on Thursday, Chris recieved a call from a job in Houston AND a the job at Texas A&M. They were both wanting to offer him a position. He asked if he could pray and think about it. I was so excited at the thought of moving back to Houston. I've really been very, very unhappy living here and was looking forward to the change and getting back to friends and family. It seems, though that God wants us to stay here. After reviewing the two offers, Texas A&M was offering him better hours, better benefits, higher wages and the chance for promotions and frequent raises. It just felt like taking the job here was what God wanted us to do. I must admit I was disappointed and a little upset. God softened my heart though when we told our friends and family here that we were not moving. There was such an outpouring of joy. Turns out they didn't want us to move and were upset that we might have moved. I really felt ashamed at my behavior then. It didn't matter how much I disliked living in this town, having friends and family like we have is such a blessing it makes my petty dislikes seem childish. We are so blessed to have friends and family in both cities. I must admit though, there is a tiny part of me that is glad I don't have to leave my homeschool group. We have made the most amazing friends!

We are still left with the problem of not having anywhere to live. Our lease is up Dec. 31st in our current house. It was sold and the new owners are moving in the week after our lease is up so there isn't the option to stay month to month until we find something. I had been putting off looking for a house because I wasn't sure what town we would be moving to (he had put out for jobs in Houston, Austin, Dallas and here). Now that I know where we will be I have begun looking for a house. The only catch is that I'm moving us away from the city. I have realized it's the college students and areas of town within our budget that I don't like. Because we live in a college town the rent for a 3 bedroom in a decent part of town is starting at $1500 a month. This is because they can get 3-4 students in there to split the bills. This leaves struggling families like ours out in the dust. The parts of town that are in our price range are riddled with crime, drugs and gang activity. I cannot in good faith keep my family in those areas of town. Ecspecially with me being home all day by myself with 2 boys. To change this, we have started looking for houses outside in the country that are in our price range. I want to live where it's quiet, I don't have drunk college students throwing up on my front yard, the boys can run around and explore or ride bikes. I want my kids to be kids and not have to worry about the neighbors around them. Please pray for us. We are asking God to guide us to the right house. I'm worried that we are running out of time and will end up having to put our belongings into storage and either move in with my parents or with friends or the shelter. I've been asking God to take my worry and stress and show us the way. I know he will guide us!