Looking for Input

This past Friday was my parent/teacher conference for Nikelle. I had an informative visit with her teacher and found out my child is an average kid. Thank God for that! At the same time, her teacher informed me that I need to start thinking about first grade! Arghhh! I do not look forward to sending her to school all day. Well, honestly, there might be some perks...but there are so many reasons for my hesitancy. Mainly, it's SO out of my control. It's going to be a huge learning experience in trusting God next year.

So, here are our two options: Pershing and Eisenhower. Both our public schools. Eisenhower you have to test into. Class size is supposed to be smaller. I've already been receiving input from Amy as her children attend(ed) Eisenhower but I'm looking for any other input I can receive. Pershing is much closer (I could just drop her off). Eisenhower she'd take the bus and leave at the crack of dawn (although I know I could always drive her, too)!

I hate having to think about all of this now. I really don't want to but I know it's necessary. Private school is not an option due to finances and I have no patience to home school. I also support the public schools. I felt it was a profitable experience for my relationship with God. I received a lot of ridicule and learned how to take a stand. At the same time, Rod and I have always said we will take things one day at a time and one child at a time. If the school we place them in is not working for them, we'll reconsider our options.

Again, it's between Pershing School and Eisenhower Academy. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Dad Update 11-12-07

Please continue to keep my dad in your prayers. Specifically, my dad's white blood cell counts are quickly on the rise. Although this seems like a good thing, the nurse expressed concern that this could indicate signs of an infection. This morning, my mom told me that dad does have a fever. With a normal person, a fever is no big deal. With dad, there is so much that hangs on this. Please pray that he can fight quickly an infection that may be trying to attack his body. More importantly, please pray that this is not the cancer attempting to attack him again. We so desperately want him to be able to get into the stem cell procedure quickly. Still, we trust God for all things and know he is still in control.

Rest in Hope

Yesterday, we were enjoying our first day of rest in quite some time. I pulled out my scrapbook materials while Rod prepared to watch the Bears game. When his parents called to invite us over for dinner and a visit with some extended family, we knew to accept the invitation. Afterall, who knows what tomorrow will bring? It was a good dinner (that I didn’t have to cook) and a nice visit with Rod’s parents, sister, Aunt, Uncles and cousin, Erin.

Erin is the one who inspired my post for today. As we were talking last night about the many daily struggles we face, we admitted that most of the time, there are always people in worse situations. That’s why she forwarded me this link: http://www.jenniferireland.blogs.com/. This is a blog that details a woman’s courageous battle with cancer as well as the effect of the battle on her husband and two little girls. From what I read, she was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the birth of their second child and lost her battle with cancer early this year. Her girls were only 4 and almost 2 at her death. The pain this family must have endured and yet the posts on this blog still show hope. Tears soak my face as I read through their struggle. Today, I lift a prayer that God would wrap His arms around this family during this holiday season as they experience their first Thanksgiving and Christmas without their loved one.

Hope. It’s’ an amazing gift from God. That was going to be the topic of my post today before receiving this link anyway. I am so grateful for HOPE. Without it, how would we get through one day? I’m hopeful that today will be a day filled with joy. I’m hopeful that Dad will beat this terrible disease. I’m hopeful that even if the holidays are celebrated this year without my Dad present, that we will have many celebrations to come. I’m hopeful for eternity. Eternity is where we will no longer have to say goodbye. Eternity is where we will no longer have tears. In Eternity, rest will be plentiful.

“Faith is being sure of what we HOPE for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1

Dear Friends...

I just finished today's Bible reading from the One-Year Bible. Hebrews 10:23-25 are the verses I'm rereading and thinking on at the moment.

"23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

This is what I love about my friends. I want people who inspire me to walk with God. I love to surround myself with people who encourage me and give me ideas as to how I can reflect God's love to others. I don't want to surround myself with people who are complimenting me left and right. I don't need those people who are just going to make me feel better about being me. I need people who will challenge me! I want to grow! Thank you to each of you who do this for me.

So, what are we doing today to encourage one another and to spur one another on toward love and good deeds?

Food on the Brain

How ironic is it that in my post about rereading this typo appears?


“Even a food is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” – Proverbs 17:28

I think about food when I don't even realize I'm thinking about food!

I've now corrected my last post with the correct wording of the verse:

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” – Proverbs 17:28

Thanks to my dear friend for pointing it out!