End of Week Two

Seems very hard to believe that we've now been on this unexpected journey for two whole weeks. The rental house is really beginning to seem like home and we are truly settling in.

Received a very special gift from the Lord today...I had e-mailed the Midwest Homeschool Convention about being able to go to the exhibit hall for even 1 day just to connect with various vendors, pick up catalogs and look at curriculum in the hopes that my memory would be jogged and I could begin compiling the list of what we lost for insurance. Within a short time, one of the coordinators e-mailed me back and asked me to contact her ASAP. Come to find out, a Canadian family who had hoped to come suddenly needed to change plans and wanted to transfer their registration to another family. They had a full conference registration which included all 3 days for 4 people, the Worldview Teen Track AND tickets to see both Tim Hawkins and the Duggar family!!!! Woohoo!!! We are SO excited!!! My mom & I, along with Nathan and Faith, will be heading to Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon. Can't wait!!!

Was asked by The Homeschool Foundation to write a little summary of some of what we've been learning through all this. They published it on their facebook page today. Here's the heart of what I sent to them:

Every day we are asked by multiple people how we are doing. And every day we tell them we are doing very well by His grace and through His strength He is all sufficient to meet our every need. There are all three principles from the teachings of Elisabeth Elliot that have been instrumental in our healing and adjustment to this new normal.

1) DO THE NEXT THING - From the time that we first got the call about the fire until now, our days have been packed with more tasks than we could ever begin to complete. Reminding ourselves to just do the next thing has been very freeing.

2) IN ACCEPTANCE LIETH PEACE - Multiple times each day, items come to mind that were lost in the fire and can never be replaced ... my wedding dress, baby books, every snapshot from almost 23 years of marriage, heirloom Christmas ornaments, love letters and the list could go on endlessly. As we choose to accept these things that cannot be changed, the peace that passes all understanding encompasses us.

3) EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE OF OUR LIVES, WHEN OFFERED UP TO HIM, BECOMES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A GATEWAY TO JOY. As the hurtful menories surface and painful moments come, we simply say, "Jesus, I am offering this up to You." The joy that Jesus gives IS NOT dependent on our circumstances.

"Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing." Nehemiah 13:2b We have been truly blessed in these last 14 days of the new normal.

By His grace,

Chris