Standing in the Gap - Update

Update!! A's dad said that they would render judgment in writing in three days. He said they seem to be siding with the mom. Please keep them in your prayers.

Standing in the Gap

I have often wondered why God put me in this teaching position in this special needs class. Was it simply because it’s close or that we needed the money? Was it because I needed to toughen up a bit? As if two terms on the foreign field didn’t help to do that. Maybe it was because I needed to spend less time blogging. I don’t know that there is just one singular reason. I do believe that part of it is so that I can take these children and their heartaches to the throne of grace.

One of them is a little boy I’ll call “A”. He has found himself in the middle of an ugly custody battle. His mom has remarried and moved out of state and is now appealing the former decision for “A” to live with his dad. “A’s” dad has been in the classroom every day, all day for weeks now. He appears to be a very caring, concerned, Christian father. I haven’t met the mom but I have spoken with her on the phone. I have also talked with others who know her and based on that, I am praying that “A” will be allowed to stay with his father. They go to court Monday (Nov. 26) at 1 PM eastern time. I am begging you for your prayers for this sweet boy and his dad.

Happy Veteran's Day

I am praying for the earlier date. Last week just about put me over the edge and I'm dreading tomorrow.

Happy Veteran's Day to my dad and all the veteran's!

The Least of These

Yesterday was the worst day of my educational career. I came home exhausted and shed a few tears. Tears of stress from dealing with the undesirables of the compulsory school system. Tears of joy because of the wonderful family that I am blessed to come home to.

The day started out with "D" stating that he was going to be bad. He fulfilled his promise and then some. Screaming, and ripping things off of the walls were only the beginning. He wasn't the only one. I am sure that I will have a few extra gray hairs before it's all over. The class is labeled ED for emotionally disturbed (or maybe disabled?? I can't remember) Personally I think 75% could be DP. I'll let you decide what that might stand for. It's a sad group of children and I'm sure that I will have more tears to cry. Some out of stress and more out of pity along with cries for mercy and grace in their lives. Today was better and tomorrow is another day. Another chance to start again. Please keep me in your prayers as I work with "the least of these."

The Labyrinth

Sometimes I feel like we are walking in a labyrinth. We are in the very center of it and trying to find the way out, each time taking the wrong path and finding a dead end. This week we are trying a new direction; one we hadn’t considered before. Lord, is this really the way you would have us to go? My earnest prayer is still “And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” Exodus 33:15

Packing Party

I am having so much fun at this Packing Party. I did tell you it’s a Packing Party didn’t I? We have had introductions and some fun games and now it’s time to get to work! I hope you wore work clothes and not your Sunday best. Roll up your sleeves, find a packing gun or the dolly and let’s go!

John and I have been busy this afternoon with last minute details. Curtains have come down and packed in a box. John and Gabe are packing up our mattress as I type. My computer will probably be whisked away from my fingers shortly. Thankfully, we will still have the laptop. Packing is hard. It is more difficult when your husband has a different method or idea of how things should be done. Never mind that his way is probably better. For some really outrageous fun, try packing to please the Romanian Customs officials. We have packed and labeled everything the way we think that they want it. The paper work is the way it was when we came here five years ago. Rules have a way of changing daily around here.

The weather is only a bit more predictable than dealing with customs agents. This past week we have had rain every morning and sunshine in the afternoon. Tomorrow we need sunshine while we load the container. Please pray for good weather.

Tomorrow evening I will post some pictures of the chaos whole ordeal, if I find time to snap some pictures, if the camera doesn’t get packed and if I can still put together an intelligible sentence. You can join us then too for a celebration, complete with my son’s favorite pizza. Thanks for all your help!

Facing the Uncertainties

Kathleen and some others have asked me if my children are excited about our move. Like me they are experiencing a roller coaster of emotions. They are excited about the possibilities they will have in the states like being able to drive and get a job at age 16. Being closer to family is a huge bonus even if we do not end up in the same state. A plane ticket anywhere in the continental US is cheaper and easier than to Eastern Europe. At the same time, we are leaving what we know, what we are familiar with. We are leaving friends that we have had for years and facing the unknown. Holly, who will be 9 soon, is rolling with the punches. The uncertainties have not entered her little head too much. Her greatest difficulty right now is, “Mommy, what can I do?” All her toys and books are packed along with the DVD’s. The rest of us are far too busy to even think about school. I give her tasks to do but still she cannot keep pace with the rest of us. Gabriel and Hannah on the other hand realize, more than Holly, that we are reaching the end of our journey here in Romania. Most likely, we will never all come back at the same time. Life, where ever the Lord leads us, will be extremely different. Life here has not always been easy but it is good. And if life is good, what will different be? I am sure these questions have gone through their minds.

I have been through trials and difficult times in the past and have found the Lord faithful every time. These hard times shape us and mold us into what we are, vessels on the Potter’s wheel. They teach us that God is true. He is almighty. He is the Gentle Shepherd leading us. Thank you for asking about my kids and thank you so much for your prayers which are so needed. The days are physically exhausting but I know we could not make it through them except for the fact that we are holding tightly to our Father’s Hand.

Prayer Requests

I have yet to shed many tears but I know that I will. I feel them welling up in my heart even now. It may be because of sorrow, fear or stress; more likely a combination of it all. Your prayers are needed and appreciated. Here are a few specific requests for our family:

1. Faithfulness to prayer and bible study during this very busy season
2. Physical strength and health for the task
3. Wisdom to know what to pack and what to leave behind – we still have no idea of where we are going
4. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance with others while we are under stress
5. Good weather on March 5^th while we are loading the container
6. Time for fellowship with friends that we may never see again
7. That the enemy will be bound and not allowed to intrude in our lives to hinder us with difficulties such as the inevitable red tape one deals with in foreign countries or officials seeking bribes
8. A good home for my daughter’s sweet cat that we must leave behind
9. Our van to be sold along with a few other miscellaneous items

Love and Time

Blogger Friend School Assignment

Your assignment this week is to visit 3 Classmates' blogs and tell them that you are praying for them this week! This is a really simple assignment, but important to share with one another that you want to encourage them. When you are finished with visiting your classmates and leaving them a comment, post on your blog 3 ways that you can show love to a neighbor or friend!

“And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.” Genesis 29:18-20

Love and Time are synonymous. If we love someone, we will spend time with them or doing things for them. It is as simple as that. The ways we can spend time or the things that we could do are innumerable. It could be as simple as sending them a personal email, not just something that has been forwarded around the world and back again. We can be the listening ear or the shoulder to cry on when life gets hard; and it frequently does. We can call up a friend and say, “Hey, let’s get together for lunch.” Then actually do it. Life is busy. Life is hard. Let’s take time today with those we love.