A lot of This and That

It’s been over a week since I posted so my head feels full! So, what’s been going on here? A lot of this and that!

Awana is finally settling down some. We are really excited about what God is doing through this ministry. It is a lot of work but well worth it when you hear those little kids saying their memory verses and on Sunday morning when you walk in the sanctuary and those kids and their parents are there. We appreciate your prayers as this ministry and the growth we are experiencing has led us to a place of decision making in many areas. Please pray as a church we make the decisions God would have us to make and that we are united in our decisions. It has been and continues to be very challenging in that many of our kids who are coming have varying issues at home. The Lord has really shown us all a lot through this. We are being forced to minister to the “not so easy to minister to” and for that I am grateful. I needed that reality check for sure. It is a big responsibility to know that we are quite possibly the only way these kids are ever introduced to Jesus. A couple of weeks ago a little girl was at check-in and one of our secretaries asked if she had her Bible. Her response was, “what is a Bible?” I was standing there and for the secretary and myself it was as though time stood still for a little bit. All we could do was look at each other. Yes, in rural Texas a 1st grader asked “what is a Bible?” There is much to do and it is our job as Christians to do it. It has all made me think about how we live in our own little worlds and have no idea what life is like for so many right around us. I am as guilty as anyone about saying “oh, they would make a great addition to our church” based on the fact that they appear to be a good Christian family while there are people in very unfortunate circumstances (whether they put themselves in those situations or not) who are headed for an eternity in hell and taking their kids with them. Now we need those “good Christian families” to help us to reach out to the lost world BUT we have to be willing to reach out to those not as “desirable” as well. Praise you God for opening my eyes! May I never forget what you have shown me… and may I always have a passion for sharing you with EVERYONE. We also have some special needs children and I am determined that whatever it takes we will minister to these children. Obviously I have a passion for children with special needs and I think too often they are left out at church. So, we are working through those issues one child at a time.

I have a video of Lizzie and Millie saying their memory verses but I can’t get it to upload. It is amazing how much they are learning and retaining. Here they are in their class listening to their Bible story. A couple of weeks ago we had Crazy Hair Night. 4 Hall Girls has some crazy hair! Sallie in the right corner. She is loving it! Mrs. Melba (love her crazy hair) is her leader and she is great with her. I love these dresses! I saw them at Target a while back and they did not have both their sizes and I just couldn’t bring myself to get one of them and not the other. So I was in a different Target last week and they had both sizes and were on CLEARANCE! Even more in love with the $10 cute dresses!!! Also love that it is trendy to put long sleeves under sleevless or short sleeve clothing which helps me to stretch their summer clothes. This is one of my favorite pics of Sallie! She is looking so grown up though… She is still loving school. We have been beyond satisfied with her teachers at school. There is a real love and concern for her well-being. I know it is all part of God’s plan for us being here.

This is a portion of an email I received from one of her special ed teachers:

Sallie loves the other kids and loves being with them! They are all sweet to her and really don't think of her much differently than anyone else, and they are fascinated with trying to learn a few signs to communicate with her. She is so independent, but loves to be part of the group and she is quick to follow along w/ what they are doing. I love watching her say the Pledge each morning - she just moves her mouth as if she knows every word and puts her hand on her heart and smiles the whole time. She smiles all the time in gym too. She loves running and playing tag - no fear - she is right in the middle of it all! The kids are careful around her, but not so much that she feels any different than any of the rest. I can tell the young coach that teaches our P.E. just loves her. (Coach Price) Of course, what coach wouldn't love her? - she has such a great attitude!

This is a portion of an email I received from her general ed teacher (last week she got a FM system for her BAHA):

Today was neat, she responded well to hearing my voice:) It was amazing actually. Ya'll are so blessed. I want you both to know that I specifically pray for each of my students in the morning and Sallie is covered in prayer.

I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to us that she is with teachers who love her and also take their time to share with us. Yes, we are so blessed by her. I wish it had not taken me so long to realize just how blessed we are!

We went for an appt last week and based on her test results we have the green light from her audiologist to move forward with implanting the BAHA. Now we have to get the green light from her ENT which will involve more testing and then on to battle insurance and then hopefully on to the 2 surgeries. Prayers appreciated!

Elleigh is liking school better. For the most part most of the people are nice to her. The drama drives her crazy! Some how she always seems to be the one that girls want to talk to about their drama! There was some drama when I was a teenager but nothing like there is now. Once again, just amazed at how mean most girls are and unfortunately it is often girls who call themselves Christians. I wish they could realize WHO they represent and also that they are affecting lives forever by their actions. We were discussing tonight how she found it easier to be friends with boys. I understand! After all, I married one of those friends (14 years ago TODAY!!!)

My days with Lizzie and Millie had gotten so much more pleasant until recently. Do not misunderstand! I love them dearly and I love my time with them BUT that does not mean it is always easy. I was just sharing with A about a month or so back how much they had changed and how our days were so much easier. I spoke too soon! Apparently the past couple of weeks we have entered a new phase and it is not pretty! I can’t take my eyes off them because they are constantly plotting and into something. Of course they share a room and bedtime has become a nightmare! They want to play and talk and not go to sleep which makes for whiny girls the next day! They are really into pitching fits right now which drives me crazy! Doing school with them is a challenge. They are just on different levels and that really frustrates Millie. I have hope that this too shall pass! By the end of the day I am just beat! I feel like I am living for bedtime! Wouldn’t trade this time for anything, just being real!

They are learning a lot at dance and enjoying it. Lizzie and Millie’s classes are back to back and because we live 10 minutes from town each way we stay in town during that time. Sometimes we run errands and sometimes we just sit in the car and I work on different things and the girls play or whatever. This was Mill yesterday. She is such a free spirit and this picture shows her true personality! She is really different than the other girls. She is just in her own world and really funny. She is so much fun to be around (most of the time!). However, sometimes our personalities clash! I find myself saying “Millie, concentrate” a lot! Lizzie loves Tap best Little Bitty Mill Mill!