During September and October I co-taught a class of 4th and 5th graders. One of our routine questions each week was their highs and lows of the week. After everyone shared we would pray about those highs and lows. I thought I would participate today....
Lows:
-We had awful storms blow through yesterday damaging alot of homes.
-Mike is putting in alot of time with school right now.
-Mike's stay in Abilene is quickly approaching.
-Topaz is still working on being completely obedient.
Highs:
-I have a job that is helping me toward my license.
-We have been welcomed with open arms since we moved to Paducah.
-I have a husband that loves me and makes time for me despite his school work.
-Thanksgiving is next week and I get to go see my family.
-Mike will be done with school for the semester in 2 weeks.
-We have a clean house.
-We were not affected by the storm in any major way.
-I got to go home from work early.
This is just a few things that come to my mind at this moment. Thankfully, it was much easier to think of highs than lows at this point in our journey.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Friday, November 11, 2005
Memories
Friday is finally here! As long as I can remember I have always looked forward to Fridays. Who doesn't? I am especially looking forward to this weekend. Tomorrow Mike and I are going to make the short trip to Nashville for the day. I am going to a shower for a friend/sister of mine and he is going to spend the afternoon in the library. I think I am looking forward to the trip more than he is.
However, this has brought alot of memories back to me. I am amazed as I think about the number of people in my life that have been significant and still hold such special places in my heart. Today, I want to write in particular about the Osburns. After my freshman year in college, I decided to pursue a youth internship. That summer I ended up in Atlanta, GA at the Campus Church of Christ. It was an incredible summer. I had the joy of working with a childhood friend and two new friends and vetern youth ministers, Ken and Donna Ellis. Before I go any farther, I have to say that they are great ministers and have really impacted alot of lives. I learned so much that summer and could share many stories. While all of these relationships were special, the family I lived gave me and showed me something I really needed that summer.
The Osburns loved spending time together as well as to take others in their home. The summer I was with them their family (James, Jayne, Julia, and Jayme) was there as well as Freddy, their foster son, and the two female interns. This family laughed together, watched movies together, talked about God together. James and Jayne were not afraid to laugh and have a good time with their kids. They were involved in their lives, but they also disciplined them as well. They became confidants for me during a difficult time and continued to be there for me during the next two years. Their house was the frequent gathering place for the teenagers and they didn't mind. They have always considered me their third daughter and I easily consider them my second family. Those are my sisters and I care deeply for them. Several years later, it was interesting that Julia began her freshman year at Lipscomb as I finished my senior year. I have made special trips just to spend the weekend. I know they have open arms.
I am so happy for Julia as she prepares for marriage, but it is so difficult not to think of her as still being a junior in high school. My dream has always been to get to host an intern and show them the love that I received from this family. My heart is so excited to spend the evening with Jayne, Jayme, Julia, and David. I long for Mike to know them better so he can understand the connection we share.
Our lives change, but my memories of that summer will forever be engrained on my heart.
However, this has brought alot of memories back to me. I am amazed as I think about the number of people in my life that have been significant and still hold such special places in my heart. Today, I want to write in particular about the Osburns. After my freshman year in college, I decided to pursue a youth internship. That summer I ended up in Atlanta, GA at the Campus Church of Christ. It was an incredible summer. I had the joy of working with a childhood friend and two new friends and vetern youth ministers, Ken and Donna Ellis. Before I go any farther, I have to say that they are great ministers and have really impacted alot of lives. I learned so much that summer and could share many stories. While all of these relationships were special, the family I lived gave me and showed me something I really needed that summer.
The Osburns loved spending time together as well as to take others in their home. The summer I was with them their family (James, Jayne, Julia, and Jayme) was there as well as Freddy, their foster son, and the two female interns. This family laughed together, watched movies together, talked about God together. James and Jayne were not afraid to laugh and have a good time with their kids. They were involved in their lives, but they also disciplined them as well. They became confidants for me during a difficult time and continued to be there for me during the next two years. Their house was the frequent gathering place for the teenagers and they didn't mind. They have always considered me their third daughter and I easily consider them my second family. Those are my sisters and I care deeply for them. Several years later, it was interesting that Julia began her freshman year at Lipscomb as I finished my senior year. I have made special trips just to spend the weekend. I know they have open arms.
I am so happy for Julia as she prepares for marriage, but it is so difficult not to think of her as still being a junior in high school. My dream has always been to get to host an intern and show them the love that I received from this family. My heart is so excited to spend the evening with Jayne, Jayme, Julia, and David. I long for Mike to know them better so he can understand the connection we share.
Our lives change, but my memories of that summer will forever be engrained on my heart.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Why GOD?
God, why do people have to hurt so bad?
Why do some people that seem to hurt the worst not have a good family support system?
Why won't it go away?
Why don't you heal them?
Why can't they see your hand in positive aspects of their life?
Why is it so hard to ask for help?
Why don't children feel they can trust adults?
Why do we get so stressed?
These are alot of deep questions that I find myself asking lately. The first few months of my job have been really rough. I have dealt with many serious things over and over. I tend to go home worried and stressed and for the first time in my life it is hard to leave it at work. My heart breaks for the people that walk through my door everyday. I feel helpless at times even though I have been through 6 years of college and grad school to do this. The cry of my heart is that I can see God's hand in the lives of these people, but at times I begin to wonder alongside of them where God has been. It seems that he is distant or deserted them altogether. There is such a huge segment of our society that is writhing in their pain. Will we seek them out and love them? Or will we just leave them there to suffer? Many people just need a support system that is healthy and doesn't perpetuate these patterns. Won't we look past the outside and see how we might offer them a cup of cold water?
Why do some people that seem to hurt the worst not have a good family support system?
Why won't it go away?
Why don't you heal them?
Why can't they see your hand in positive aspects of their life?
Why is it so hard to ask for help?
Why don't children feel they can trust adults?
Why do we get so stressed?
These are alot of deep questions that I find myself asking lately. The first few months of my job have been really rough. I have dealt with many serious things over and over. I tend to go home worried and stressed and for the first time in my life it is hard to leave it at work. My heart breaks for the people that walk through my door everyday. I feel helpless at times even though I have been through 6 years of college and grad school to do this. The cry of my heart is that I can see God's hand in the lives of these people, but at times I begin to wonder alongside of them where God has been. It seems that he is distant or deserted them altogether. There is such a huge segment of our society that is writhing in their pain. Will we seek them out and love them? Or will we just leave them there to suffer? Many people just need a support system that is healthy and doesn't perpetuate these patterns. Won't we look past the outside and see how we might offer them a cup of cold water?
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