The week has gone very well for us so far. The kids have been so good, work is going so well, Chris was gone a lot, but working hard. We got the kids some Easter clothes so that they look somewhat dressed up for Sunday. Usually the kids spend the church service at Sunday school, but Sunday they didn't have Sunday school, so they sat in the Church while we sang - then afterwards - we all sat together and listened to Pastor Matthew's message.
Pastor Matthew is really such a great guy, not just with words, but in his entire presence, you just feel the positive power when you meet him. So we are listening to the message, the kids are trying to keep up with his bible references, turning to the passages he's talking about and reading along with him. Then he gets to the part of the service where he asks about being saved. He asks... "If you were to die today, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?" It's a powerful message - and I really like it that he's not referencing becoming any "religion" but rather, trying to tell members that they all needed a relationship with God. He asks for those who would like to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior to please raise their hands. Sitting next to us, Chris and I see four little hands go right up... Kayla, Justin, Kayte and Jonathan. Chris and I begin to really cry. Easter Sunday 2006 is the day I realized how much of a change these kids have made. Pastor Matthew talked about 'turning 180 degrees', and wow - have these kids accomplished that. From gangs and drugs to saved by Jesus in four months. God and his army of angels have to be smiling down on them. All I think of when I think of these changes is the Lord telling Chris and I: "Well done good and faithful servant". I know the kid thought about their dad a lot Sunday as well, and I'm sure Ron was smiling down from heaven on them. Even if the kids went home tomorrow, they have experienced a Christian life with morals and values.
Here is a photo of everyone from Sunday:
If you want to see more of the Easter photos, you can cut and paste this text into your internet browser: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/krs4u2/album?.dir=/57d3&.src=ph&.tok=phr.auEBxJQgFIRG
The kids got to see Julie Sunday, and Julie was very good. Mom kept an eye on Julie and things went very well. She misses them so much, and they miss her too. At times I feel so very bad for her... but - as I keep telling Chris - I can only worry about what I can change. I can worry about the kids, I can worry about certain things with Doug, but I can't change Julie, so I can't allow myself to worry about it. I'll think about her, I'll hope and pray that she's doing the things she needs to do... but I can't worry about her.
So - what else was new since I last blogged? Hmmmmmmm
Oh good lordy, let me tell you about the snoring the other night. I'm sleeping and I keep hearing Chris snoring. It wakes me up and I'm just laying there listening to it, but I don't push him or move him or anything else. Finally I realize that all the snorning has caused me to get a headache. It's 4am on Sunday and I figure I better get up and get some Advil or else I won't be able to function when the kids get up for Easter baskets. I get up and take the Advil, and I realize... Chris isn't snoring... he hasn't snored since I got up. I sat next to him in bed waiting for it to start again, and it simply doesn't. Finally, it hits me............... it wasn't Chris snoring, it must have been ME. I kept myself up and I gave myself a headache. Totally laughing at myself here - it was so funny.
Update on Doug - we took him with us to Janet's house on Sunday afternoon. We sprang him from the facility about 1 pm and figured he could watch the kids look for easter eggs, eat some food, and enjoy the time away from the rehab center. He was really not happy the whole time, and we ended up taking him back early, which was okay because he was pretty tired as well. I just wish he had enjoyed his afternoon a little better. An example of how difficult things were: we first get him into the car, and I happen to have one of his news papers in the car for him (from Tennessee). He opens it and spits this wad of gook into the middle of it, then begins to read the paper. Ewwwwww. We had ham, potatoes and baked Ziti for dinner, and I knew he couldn't eat the ham, so I have him the potatoes and Ziti. He wouldn't eat it saying it tasted just like hospital food. At least Chris and I gave it our best effort. It may have been difficult, or even gross at times, but - spending some time with him at our Easter celebration was the right thing to do.
Speaking of Doug and effort, we did get a chance to look at the therapy center at the rehab center, you know - the therapy Doug said they weren't doing? Well, Doug showed us all of the things they have him doing, exercises for his muscles and for his brain. It's a nice little therapy center with lots to do. We told Doug if he got bored during the day, he should go there to hang out. As it is now, he's spending all his time smoking.
What else is new.... hmmm.....
We got our first two teacher call / email of the 9 weeks. Jonathan happens to be failing science and Kayte was removed from her science class last week due to excessive talking. Jonathan swears his teacher is missing a grade which is why his grade is so low - and Kayte swears she didn't really do anything wrong to deserve being removed from class. These are the normal responses. I'll talk to the teacher again tomorrow when school resumes. I'll let you know how that goes. However, all this said, I'll say it again, the kids are doing so much better than they have in the past.
Chris is taking the kids to Busch Gardens today. Gosh those year-long passes are just awesome! I've got a busy day at work after being off for 4 days. Jonathan is the only one at home, he didn't want to go to Busch Gardens with everyone else... I wonder what's up with him?! He said he's fine, he just didn't feel like going today.
Okay, I should run as I have to head off to work. Remember to thank God for the blessings in your life today.
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