First of all, in my last post I requested prayers for my friend, Phillip. He went skiing with us over Christmas and got sick while we were there. He had the flu, which turned into pneumonia, and then just kept getting more and more sick as the days went on. He actually stopped breathing 3 times in the past month and a half and required CPR to revive him. There were many days that it just wasn't looking good for him. But people prayed for him. I prayed continuously for him. I cried daily about the situation. His wife, Wendy, has been my best friend since elementary school, and she was amazing during the entire sickness. It was a terrible, but beautiful thing to see. Thank y'all for praying for him. I am so happy to report that he is finally back home with his family and going through rehab to regain his strength. I am so thankful for all of my friends that prayed for him that don't even know him, and I know Phillip and Wendy are thankful for that also.
Phillip with his daughter Abbie the day he got home.
If God leads you to it, He will bring you through it.
The main reason I blog is to keep up with what's going on in our lives because I realize that I'm getting old and my memory seems to be failing. While I was spending time with Wendy, I realized that she remembers more of my childhood than I do. How is this even possible? I realize know that I'm older than she is, but only by 2 weeks! My brain is just on overload right now and my memory is failing because of it (or that's the excuse I'm sticking with). But I do like to be able to look back and read what was going on at certain times, so I'm going to try to keep this up as often as possible.
Cousin love :)
If I had to sum up my life right now in one word, it would be BUSY. My brain never shuts off, and even when I try to relax I have a hard time with it because there's too much that needs to be done to relax right now. I am working on my masters in teaching, which has me doing homework what seems like ALL THE TIME. I am also in the middle of my first year of teaching first grade (which I am loving!) so if my thoughts aren't on my homework, they are on what needs to be done for my classroom. And I do still have these 2 boys hanging around that require attention with homework, soccer, baseball, trap shooting, laundry, food, and everything in between. And there's this guy that I married a while back that also likes some attention every once in a while.
Aaron with his friend Parker at their first trap shooting practice.
Most days I go to bed questioning whether or not I can actually handle all of this. It is all good, but it is a LOT. It's so hard to find a good balance between work, school, and family. On the days I really focus on getting homework done, I feel guilty for what I've missed out on with my family. On the days that I have quality family time, I feel bad for not getting anything productive done. Most days I question whether or not I'm good enough or even smart enough to handle all that has come my way. My house is dirty most of the time, my children have pulled clothes out of the hamper to wear to school on more than one occasion, Austin has gone to school with his shirt inside-out, I have forgotten lunches, I have returned texts but never pressed SEND, and my mail rarely gets opened. Some days I just feel like I've messed it all up.
Austin with our new puppy, Roxie.
But then I can always look back on the week before and think about how it all seemed to work out. My assignment got turned in just in time. My students told me I was the best teacher ever. My husband told me he was proud of me. I shared a special moment with my kids. My co-workers encouraged me. Somehow, it all seems to work out.
My world.
If God leads you to it, He will bring you through it.
I believe this. I know that I am doing what God wants me to be doing right now. He lined everything up so perfectly for me that I can not deny it. A year ago, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. But the doors were opened for me without any type of struggle on my part to get me to where I am today. God has been with me through this entire process, and I know without a doubt that He will not leave me. The problem comes when I try to handle this all by myself. I am giving myself too much credit if I really think that I could do this on my own. And if I ever do try to do it on my own, that is when you will see me fall apart. But daily, I have to make the conscious choice to give it to God. I can not be everything to everyone. But I have faith that He will help me be exactly what I need to be for that particular day. I will make it through this...one day at a time.
Robbie surprised me with a MUCH needed night away for Valentine's Day!
I'm so proud of my husband. He is now a deacon in our church along with these other amazing men. Robbie has such a servant heart, and I could not be more proud to be his wife.
Y'all have a great week!
