What a test

Am I ever being tested and I continue to hold firm.

Where to start.....well, I will start with my house. The adjusters came out the week of the December 17/07. That was fine, they were going through everything they have to go through. I understand that.....I phoned my insurance broker to ask if I should change my insurance now that I am not in the house ( it is unlivable ) "No, it can remain the same."

So, the next week again another break-in. I was away for Christmas, when I returned I found that the only thing really wrong was a BIG mess. Not a problem, I will get in and clean! Okay, I went down to check on plumbing to do it myself instead of paying $1000 deductible. Yeah, as I thought it can be done for under $400 ( actually under $200 ) Great! Not going to put in the claim or at least not going to use it.

Then this week I get a phone call from the insurance broker....my insurance company is canceling my insurance! WHAT? How can they do that? How will I get insurance? Will I get insurance? UGH!!

That's the house.

Daycare, for three days this week most of the children have been home sick. Some quite sick some just a little sick. Thank-you father for protecting Kendra and I as we have not gotten this flu that is going around...and is NOT covered by the flu shot. Different strain!

The special someone in my life is also going through a lot of trials in his life, so "our" getting to know and spend time with each other has been put on hold....well a little.

Now, when I look back at every curve God is through at me, let us look at the good.

God is a magnificent good God no matter what the circumstances that you have to go through. He has lifted me up and given me SO much to be thankful for over the past month. He has shown me that through all of this I will remain strong with him and only with him. He is constantly providing, from putting people in my life who CAN support and help me.

He has kept me safe and healthy, and he will only give me as much as he believes I can handle. NOW, this last one....over the past few days I have wondered if he REALLY thinks I can handle everything that he is testing me with. Last night as I was talking to God, he told me very clearly...."YES, JUST STAY STRONG IN ME"

I am going to go and fast today, and really be strong!
What a wonderful life I have!!

I'm Back!

Ok, so after over a month, life is now getting back to normal. Running around with skating and other activities....have I ever said how crazy, busy my Tuesdays are? It's all good though!

I start work at well sometimes 6am, take kids to school, do homeschooling while other kids are napping, pick kids up at school, go to the rink for skating, where other kids are picked up, swimming to start in Feb., come home make dinner, get the kids to eat and wash up, go to piano, go to clubs, come home and have Kendra in bed by 9pm.....then I get to clean the house and do all the dinner dishes....I love it though!! Tuesday is actually my favorite day of the week...!

Then on Wednesday bible study had started back up, LOVE IT! What a great mix of ladies from all walks of life and all areas of life. I am so blessed to have them as part of my family. I so respect all that I can learn from them. We laugh and sometimes cry, (of course those who know me know that it doesn't take much for me) but most of all we just share a morning of our lives, while we learn and walk closer to God. This year we are looking at Psalm 23. I am so enthralled with The Lord's Prayer and am really enjoying take a look at it word by word.

Homeschooling is going so well, Kendra is an eager student which makes it so much nicer to teach. We are really learning a lot of each other.

Oh yeah, my house still hasn't sold, but I do have people that are interested in renting it, this will be so nice. I am having to fix a lot of the house up. It has been broken into a number of times over the past few weeks...I am just concentrating on the good that God has in store for me when it does sell.

One more thing, I have been getting to know a special guy from Chilliwack. He is absolutely special. It is a joy to get to know him and know that we have very similar values in life. I will tell you more when I learn more about that aspect of my life.

God is an awesome God. Wow, has he ever been opening my eyes!

Well, I must now go make dinner. I will try to be on here for updates more often.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Great job

Well, it has been going great at home schooling. Kendra is really loving it and she is getting along very good. She actually does some school work everyday. Not that I make her...hee hee. She asks to do school work on the weekends, to do research and power points. No problem, but mommy is taking the day off. Next thing I know we are both working on power points together. I am learning lot's that I didn't know I needed to know...yeah right I always need to know more.
Relearning roman numerals is very fun. As well as finding all the seeds in pine cones..what fun we have had.

Thank-you everyone for all of your prayers for us through this transition.
God Bless you all in this Christmas season as we move closer to Jesus birth and celebrate his life.
If I am not back before then have a great holiday season rejoicing all the blessings that we have. There are many of little ones everyday that we can rejoice. Fresh air, a roof, clean food...just to name a few.

With caring thoughts....LaRee

Great Transition to Come

Well today is going to be Kendra's last day of public school for a while. We will begin homeschooling on Tuesday. We talked of this over the summer and decided we would see how Grade 3 went. It was going OK but not GREAT!

Kendra really likes her teacher and will miss seeing her friends at school everyday, however we feel this is going to be a great transition. She will be able to see everyone at clubs & play dates. She will also be able to get activities that are offered during the day.

She has many friends that are involved in homeschooling, so it might be fun to have joint field trips...science world, aquarium? Any ideas?

We are both very excited about this transition and with lot's of support from family friends and God we will make it NO problems. Look forward to what the future holds.

Delayed Survivor Birthday Party

Sorry for the delay in getting the birthday party pictures up.

On October 26th Kendra invited 12 friends & family members over to...."Survivor Hope". It was Kendra's 8th birthday celebration on the 27th.
There ended up being 10 kids sleeping over....well and one friend of mine ;)


The first picture is "Team Fall", then "Team Stars", followed by a few of the challenges, including eating...."worms & dirt", Water bucket competition, Standing on one foot, standing on a square....Lot's of fun by all & NOONE was voted off, everyone won at "Survivor Hope".

I was really amazed by the fact that they were asleep by midnight and not up until 7am....Very amazing.

Oh yeah, I realized I had NO candles, but I did have long matches!! Only problem is we had to get the kids to run into the room and by the time Kendra was to blow them out there was only two candles still kinda burning....Yes, it was a total blast!

The teams went into two different rooms to try and plan their strategy. Everyone ended up leaving happy so that is what counts. The next morning after the challenges were finished, we went on nature walk and tried to find different types of mushrooms in the forest...quite interesting how many different shapes and sizes when you are looking.

Now the wheels are turning for....next year!!

Are you listening?

Well, I have been struck this past week with realization that everything that is happening right now is for a purpose. Yes, I knew this but I was not actually listening to God.

This past week I have cleaned my ears and have heard part of what He is wanting me to hear. Of course I am stubborn and don't know where it is leading (totally) but wow!
This has been a total WOW week for me. I am so happy that things are "working" Not everything, as I am still trying to have "control" but in most parts it is so neat to see.

I am still realizing how GOOD GOD is. He has taken care of our absolute every need. Times have not been that easy over the past few months, from trying to sell the house, going back to school, and even changing careers. Not to mention more custody & access stresses. Through all of this though I have felt and heard God more and more often. I have actually been feeling his hands upon my shoulders when in prayer. What a wonderful sensation!

It has taken me a long time to hear, but wow was the wait ever worth it.

More updates to follow.

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