Millenium

Today our family said good bye to our beloved Joey.  He would have been 12 years old this summer, and he has been in the family since he was less than two months old.  His health was failing, and it was a painful, sad decision for my sister and her husband.  He was a grateful companion and I am thankful we were close... He spent a lot of time sleeping in my lap and begging for my food.

I read of two other losses today - one of a 16 year old boy that took his own life and another of an 18 year old boy that died "unexpectedly" - I am assuming tragic.  I am praying for the families and friends of these two young men... Something that we shouldn't have to go through, and a time when we really need to realize how much we are loved and cared for by God - and that he is our strength, hope, peace, and light.  It is very hard to see in troubling times, but I can say from multiple experiences that it is the truth... the only truth.

My work decision has been finalized - I am on leave until next school year.  My paycheck will be affected; however, my health insurance will not, which is the necessity.  I need this time for my health and Sweet Pea's health.  I have twice as less energy as I did pre-widowhood.  Today I got up about 7, had my morning prayer time, showered, went to church to volunteer, went to lunch and some errand-running with mom, and I was ready to drop (I did for about 45 minutes) by 4:00.  There is no way I could be working right now.  I would have to get up at least an hour earlier than I did and I wouldn't even by home by 4.  So, I need to do it to protect myself (and I do have "the crud" now), my baby, and it is also best for my students.  If I went back in the current shape I am in, I would not be the teacher and case manager that they (and their parents and general education teachers) need me to be.

I am going to share with you again from Jesus Calling - this is just such an amazing devotional, I can't keep it to myself...
You need Me every moment.  Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength.  Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence.  However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up.  Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice - deep dependence on Me, or despair.  The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My Presence.  Make Me central in your conscious by praying continually: simple, short prayers flowing out of the present moment.  Use My Name liberally, to remind you of My Presence.  Keep on asking and you will receive, so that your gladness may be full and complete.

In John 16:24, Jesus tells us to "ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy."
When I pray, I try not to just ask for things - I praise God, confess to Him, thank Him, and then ask Him for things... Some things I have asked for and gotten recently - peaceful sleep, painless pregnancy, answers about work, being able to have energy to do things around the house, and just being able to go on living in general.  In spite of my painful circumstance, God is giving me things to be thankful for daily.

Sweet Pea is approaching 28 weeks quickly here, I can't wait to meet her, name her, hold her, and tell her all about her daddy and her grandpa.  A quick fact about her is that her brain is very active - she is going to be one smart cookie! 
I can feel her a LOT lately, and it is so cool!!

April 2010 | Minneapolis | One of our many mini vacations.  We went to Minneapolis and stayed at the Millennium Hotel, walked around downtown, ate at Hell's Kitchen, drank Boones Farm in our hotel room, swam (well, played) in the pool, sat in the hot tub, and even sat in the sauna (for like 30 seconds).  Joe actually poured water on the rocks in the sauna - it was steamingly funny.  So, anyways, about this picture... This church was just down the block from our hotel, and we instantly fell in love with this statue and had to take a picture so we could share it with everyone. 
Make sure to look closely at the details.