Weekend Fun

She is a super cute pregnant girl. I hope to borrow the cute clothes too!

Rachel's going for a frog theme. Cute for a girl or a boy!
Because He lives
I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives
All fear is gone.
Because I know
He holds the future.
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives.

AMEN! What a nice truth we were both reminded of this morning at church. Our careers are both trying, and they require a lot of selflessness. So much that at times we forget to take care of ourselves! We won't be any good if we don't take care of ourselves, so it was nice to be reminded of where we should have our center. As my (Steph's) school year comes to a close it has indeed been a time of reflection. I am proud of how I have handled the ups and downs of the first year of teaching: from being told that I am the best Math teacher, to being told, "I hate you"; from working with some of the best parents, to having to call Child Protection Services on others; from feeling like I am doing the best job I can, to wondering if I can even make it to school. God has been truly faithful, and I look forward to a summer filled with rejuvination, because I still have a lot to work on in my life!

This weekend I went to my sister's baby shower in Indianapolis. It was so fun! I can't believe Aubrey will be here in just two months. Marc and I both desire to move back to Indianapolis, and this weekend reminded us both of how great it would be to move back. I don't want to miss out on all this fun stuff! Rachel, my sister, is being monitored for high blood pressure, so keep her in your prayers. It was a fun shower with lots of unique games I hope to use one day at another shower...tee hee. The food was awesome too! Rachel got lots of lovely gifts as well. On the car ride home, Marc asked me, "So how'd it make YOU feel?" I think he knew the answer. =) We both very much desire to have a child right now. I think being married makes you realize that it is a possibility at any time no matter what the precautions, and seeing many of our friends' kids grow up has given us a strong desire. However, here is our motto, "We want a baby emotionally but not logically." We definitely don't feel like God's will for us is to have a child right now, with Marc being in seminary and finances being tight. However, it's been hard on me especially on those days where my students just treat me so awfully...I've said several times,"I just want to be a mom" on those days. =) Marc has grown very attached to our friends' little girl Abby, so I think that's his weak spot. =)

In sum, we are confident that we are in the will of God! We have so much to look forward to!

Steph

Weekend

We had a nice weekend. Steph had Friday off, which happened to be the same day as Betsy's Celebration of Life service. We went to Indy Thursday night and hung out with Marc's family. We then traveled with Jen, Justin, Beth, and Rose to Illinois on Friday. It was a long trip, but it was well worth it! Jen and Justin are doing just fine considering they've had quit the emotional roller coaster. It was a fun ride both ways, getting to catch up with all of them and just laugh. The service was awesome...very uplifting and inspiring. There was well over 1, 000 people! It was cool to think that Betsy could probably name at least one detail about each person there. That's the type of person she was! Her sisters sang, and her sister Heidi gave her eulogy. It was beautiful and a nice way to mark the beginning of life moving on without Bets.

We then went back to Indianapolis and spent another night there before we headed to Highland Lakes Camp for training for Super Summer, a one week camp that Marc and I are going to be a part of. I was sort of nervous because not many people know me, but they of course know Marc. I was welcomed right away, though! They welcomed me with open arms and were a lot of fun! We're really excited for this fun opportunity! Saturday night we saw at the dollar theater....yeah for cheap movies...Cheaper by the Dozen 2. It was much better than the first one, and it was a great pick me up!

We are pumped for another week. Marc has finals on Thursday...I've got two field trips and Field Day. A packed week it will be, but lots of fun! It's about time the kiddos got to have some fun...they've worked really hard. Oh yeah, and I got my first "non-acryllic" manicure today...it was fun! Not quite in the budget too often, but it was nice to be pampered! Have a good week!

Steph

Blue Skies by Point of Grace

On days of gray
When doubt clouds my view
It’s so hard to see past my fears
My strength seems to fade
And it’s all I can doTo hold on, ’til the light reappears
Still, I believe though some rain’s bound to fall
That you’re here next to me
And you’re over it all
(chorus)Lord, the sky’s still blue
For my hope is in you
You’re my joy
You’re the dream that’s still alive
Like the wind at my back
And the sun on my face
You are life
You’re grace
You are blue skies
You’re my blue skies
When nights are long
Seems the dark has no end
Still we walk on in light of the truth
For waiting beyond
Where the morning begins
Is the dawn, and you’re mercy anew
Oh, to believe we’re alive in you’re love
There is so much to see
If we keep looking up
(repeat chorus)
You fill the heavens with hope and a higher love
A picture, a promise for life
Repeat chorus

How Great the Father's Love for Us

How Great the Father's Love for Us

How great the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch his treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chose one
Bring many sons to Glory

Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon his shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no pow'r, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

This song is amazing, and it's really touched us a lot lately. Today, I had to call Child Protection Services and leave my class because one of my students threatened suicide. I was in my principals office for a good hour. It was a drama filled morning! With Betsy's death, I have not found that God is being easier on me because I am grieving. In fact, he has given me two VERY hard days in a row. Today, I said to some of my coworkers that God was testing me. She said, "No he's not. God's not like that. He doesn't just wish ill will on people and decide He's going to do certain things to them." Basically she doesn't think bad things should happen to good people. In response I said, "I know God is testing me because he loves me. He's wanting me to learn something."

You want to know what it is? He's reminding me that I can do NOTHING without Him. Like the line in the song, "WHy should I gain from His reward?" We should be thankful that He even saved us! He could have just left it as it was and let us live eternally without hope. There is nothing "good" about us. I had, prior to Betsy's death, lost sight of how much I can't do without God. I had relied on myself to fix things and to get through the school day. But lately, I cannot deny what God is trying to do. He knows this is exactly what I needed. I needed extreme circumstances, like a parent cussing me out, a kid almost hitting me, and having to call CPS to wake me up. I came home with a smile on my face today. Most people wouldn't have! But I consider myself a very loved child of God.....how great the Father's love for us.

Steph