ONE YEAR

Two days ago marked our one year anniversary being here as house parents to teenage girls.  A year ago, we were blissfully ignorant, and we had a road full of hardship and heartache to travel before arriving where we are today.

Today was actually a tough day, but I'm getting used to weathering the storms, and God is helping me get better at moving on and not hanging onto baggage.  Our learning curve is still huge, but it isn't as brain-imploding as it used to be :).  We are finally starting to do everything for the second time, and that alone is soooo very helpful.

I am looking forward to experiencing this year with a little bit of experience and knowledge under my belt.  Next week we are on our relief week, and I'm planning to use the rest time to reflect and pray about improving and continuing the work here.  Thank you, Lord, for bringing us here and for holding us close all along.

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME

     Our church sang a song last week called, "This World is Not My Home."  On Friday, we received news that a freshman boy from Michael and Bennett's school drowned in a terrible accident at the lake while he and a group of friends were staying at a family's lake house.  It is news like this that just crushes a spirit, makes us ask why, and makes me long desperately for Jesus to come quickly.  The Lord must have known how much a message just like the one from last week would be needed.  I have meditated on it, sung it and hummed it all weekend, and God has given comfort from it.  I cannot imagine what his family is going through.  I can't imagine the road ahead for them.  All I can is pray that the Holy Spirit will intercede with our groanings and plead to the Lord on our behalf, to give them what they need.

This world is not my home.
Oh, this world is not my home!
My home's been made at heaven's throne.
This world is not my home.

This life is not my own.
Oh, this life is not my own!
I am His, and His alone.
This life is not my own.

'Cause I was bought when Love was slain,
What high cost to pay death's wage!
Now ransomed I am freedom's slave,
My Jesus raised me from the grave.

Come now and walk with me.
Oh, come now and walk with me!
Together we, our Lord shall meet.
Come now and walk with me.

'Cause I was bought when Love was slain,
What high cost to pay death's wage!
Now ransomed I am freedom's slave,
My Jesus raised me from the grave.

Soon Lord, oh very soon.
Oh, soon Lord, oh very soon.
You'll come take me, to be with You.
Soon Lord, oh very soon.