JAKE'S CASE IS MOVING

We just received notice that Jake's case is finally going to be moving along. YEAH.
This is the way I understood all this mess:
All cases are going to need to be registered by 2-12-08.
In the meantime they have also given each case a registration number (seems like this might be new today) that is required to get back in PGN.
So.... all the attornies are standing in line AGAIN to get registration numbers for the cases to allow everyone to go onto the next step. For us that step is back into PGN from our kick out.
The office has said they will be open Saturday and Sunday also to allow everyone to get reregistered with a number.
This is good news believe it or not. Lord knows all of us waiting could use it.
So here is what you can do:
1- Pray that the cases will all get registered and the final steps completed for us parents to bring home our children.

Also a very good friend of mine has two huge decisions that will be made on Tuesday (2-12-08). Amy is trusting God for the right choices in this decision. I am sure she would appreciate all of your prayers while she is waiting.

I didn't ask her if I could link her blog but I will next time I "talk" to her. Please pray for her family.

Thanks for all your prayers. This has been a trying time for us and will continue to be until Jake has come home.

REDUCE STRESS!

A friend sent this to me this morning. What a great way to reduce stress. Number 11 is my favorite.

CHRIST-LIKE WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS ... An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus.'
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.


GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31)

BUSY BUSY

I have been so busy that I forgot to update!
Yesterday was better than Wednesday. We are getting closer and closer to getting back in to PGN!
Anabeli learned her first lesson in physics yesterday or Wednesday, not sure which. She had a glass and did not understand the difference between glass and plastic and sat the glass down too hard and it shattered. She was pretty scared by it all but didn't get a scratch on her.
Seems like we are in for another cold spot for a while. It was warm for a while and it was nice but it is back to hats and mittens.
Other than that nothing new is going on here. Sorry to disappoint.

HARD DAY

Today has been a hard day. I miss my little guy so much.
Anabeli asked today if "Jacob come home soon?" I said as soon as we can.
Tonight that answer isn't good enough.
Once again, I have done everything I can by filing out new forms, sending them back, etc. and I feel so helpless. It is that old control thing again.
We were told by our agency that Central Authority should be issuing our previso soon. Then we will be allowed back in PGN.
I am thankful for that but I am also worried. Everyone that has been kicked out since 1-1-07 is going back in the next few days. There will be so many files and all of them will need to be reviewed. I am concerned about how long this will take.
My biggest fear is facing a long stay again in PGN. The strength that I gained with Anabeli's long wait is trying to dwindle away.
My prayer tonight is that God will keep his hand on my little guy and all the other children caught up in this mess.

What is really amazing is as I have worried today God has reminded me of the verses below. Each one of these I have used when I taught Children's Church. We worked very hard at memorizing them about four years ago and God brought them back to me today.

I am giving my worries to God tonight. I am really tired and want a good night's sleep. Since He will be up all night I am sure He can handle them for me. :)



"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." Psalm 18:32

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

LIFE'S QUILT

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that

I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lift ed the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare an d worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'

TAGGED

So, here are the rules~The rules are to link the person who sent this and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours~Post the rules on your blog~Share 7 strange/weird facts about yourself~Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and link their blog~Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I was tagged by Vanessa http://mommyslilblessings.blogspot.com/

I am tagging http://thevoiceofadventure.blogspot.com/
http://buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/
http://theshrumfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/
http://prayingthemhome.blogspot.com/
http://themourofamily.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html
http://middleeastcrazies.blogspot.com/
http://www.ryleeforlife.blogspot.com/

1- I am crazy about Lost. I have now managed to watch each season twice now. I can't wait until Thursday nights.

2- I am obsessed with cooking magazines which is really odd because I am not fond of cooking much. Although I am hoping the new kitchen helps with that.

3- I am terrified of big dogs and by big I mean anything larger than a cat. Thanks mom for helping me with this. When I was young my mother pushed me in front of a huge dog. She says it was by accident. :)

4- I think Blake is the smartest person in the world, seriously. He has his MD and is is board certified by three different specialty boards. He loves to watch Jeopardy and can usually get most answers right. But the thing I like most is he never makes me feel stupid. That is a big thing because I tend to talk and then think.

5- My kids think I am a horrible singer and even the little ones will beg me not to sing.

6- DH and I were married Dec. 8. For our first Christmas together he got me something very romantic- a pooper scopper for our dog. NO JOKE!

7- For some reason we are always late everywhere we go. I don't know why and I don't know how to stop it. We haven't always been this weird. I have tried to fight but it is such a losing battle. For this reason we very rarely ever get to sit together in church because we have to take the single and double seats that are left in the middle of the rows.

That's it for me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLIE AND LIBBIE

We had a birthday party Saturday night. Allie turned 10 on Sunday and Libbie turned 3 at the end of January.

It was definitely a celebration.

I was able to get some pictures but Marvin made it very clear he was not into having his picture taken. Oh well I tried.

Allie is such a beautiful young lady. She definitely has that preteen attitude. You know the one where girls are developing friendships and are discovering how cool it is to be almost a teenager. She is becoming a social butterfly just like her mom.

Libbie is THREE!!!

Brandon just checking things out.

Brandon's mommy and my little sister, Vickey.

Maggie taking pictures of her own. She is affectionally know as "Aggie" here. Marvin says, "Aggie is my flavorite."

2 OUT OF 3 KIDS HOME FROM SCHOOL

Well it looks like it is our turn again in this round robin of school viruses.
Jesse decided not to go today because of a headache. Poor guy is really sick. I am a little nervous and waking him about every hour.
He can't seem to stay awake and complains his head really hurts while he is awake. Blake was a little concerned too so I wake him up, have him move his head around, drink some water and then he can go back to sleep.
No fever, chills or any other symptoms. I am keeping a close eye on him today.

Ann called at 9:45 for me to come and get her. She has a headache also but seems to have sinus pressure and more of a cold with a slight fever. She said almost 100 kids were absent today from the high school they said on announcements. Plus kids were leaving to go home sick.
I haven't heard from Sam yet so I am just hoping he stays healthy.

Of course after a good night's sleep M and A are just running around and playing. They seem to be just fine and happy. Thanks goodness.

CAN YOU SLEEP WHEN THE WIND BLOWS?

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast.
He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were
reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the
awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.
As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received
A steady stream of refusals.Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached
the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him.
"Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help,
Hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from
dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.
Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore.
Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed
next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the
little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming!
Tie things down before they blow away!"
The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No
sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on
the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm.
To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had
been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens
were in the coops, and the doors were barred.
The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down.
Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his
hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while
the wind blew.

When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically,
you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the
wind blows through your life?
The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he
had secured the farm against the storm.
We secure ourselves against the storms of life by
grounding ourselves in the Word of God.
We don't need to understand, we just need to hold
His hand to have peace in the middle of storms.

WEATHER IS GOOD

We made it. Seems like those to the west of us got the worst.
We have a little ice but not much.
Schools are on a two hour delay. That is good. I picked up an extra hour and a half of sleep this morning!!! I am a new person.