Tough Decisions

I'm going to be very open here... but please don't go spreading news that what I say here IS in fact going to happen. This is just what's been on our hearts and going through our minds lately...

We could really use your prayers in the coming weeks ahead. Paul and I have some really tough decisions to make. We're both strongly considering making a move. To where? Probably MA. But we don't know for sure... maybe for a short time. Paul and I need to get back on our feet. It's very possible that we will need the help of family to accomplish that.

I know we're supposed to trust God and have faith that He will provide. He has, and I count every blessing! But, who is to say that it isn't God's plan for us to go be with family for a little while to get ourselves financially stable again? We've gone almost 3 weeks without heat for our water. Paul and I have paid our gas company between $50 to $100 every month, but Amerigas doesn't think that's enough and wants it paid IN FULL before they'll turn it back on. We can't save money, because we're spending our extra money on babysitters for Sophie and then our necessities for us and for Sophie.

I'm not saying this WILL happen, but it's definitely something we're praying about. If we do make a move it will be by the end of summer. Unless God has other plans and makes a way for us to stay here and become financially stable.

If we do make a move, it will be very hard for Paul, because all of his family and friends will be very far away. At least where we live right now is half way between his "people" and my "people". It would also be hard for us, because we would want our privacy and space. But, sometimes we need to do what is best for our family.

SO, please PRAY! Thank you so much!

Swings!

Things have been crazy...

I feel so lost when it comes to knowing that I'm supposed to do with my life! Although I love my job, and the company I work for.... I hate working while I have a baby who is growing up so fast, and I don't have the time with her that I had always dreamed I would have with my children.

This week especially though, has been difficult. Sophie has gone from having two consistant babysitters, to only one. But, Sophie's only babysitter now, has broken her foot, and has been advised to take it easy for 4 weeks. So, now... I'm struggling to find babysitters for FOUR WEEKS. Poor Sophie has been to 4 different people's homes in the past week and a half. Most of whom she's only met a couple of times. Thankfully, Sophie is very easy-going and adaptable, but still... I just don't think it's right!

I started off my work year with 1 month paid vacation, and I'm down to 9 days left! Forget having a family vacation this year, because I need to save these days for the times when Sophie is sick, or doesn't have a babysitter. I'm burnt out and exhausted and I just don't want to do this anymore! I don't want to be a full-time working mother. I just want to be a full-time mother. If I could do that, then I wouldn't need to rely on anyone else to watch my kid every day. Just finding someone to watch Sophie is exhausting in itself. I can't afford day care ($1,200 every month in this area). So... all I can do is rely on other people to watch Sophie, and this drives me crazy!

What can I do? How can I be a stay at home mom? Please pray for me... because this my mind is struggling with that to do! Thank you!

What's that?

My sweet girl asked her first semi question this morning. I say "semi" because she didn't know she was asking a question. Anyway, I handed her a toy to play with and then I said "What's that!?" and she looked at me with a big smile and whispered sweetly, "Sss tha?" And we went back and forth. I'd ask her the same question, and she copied me, over and over again. I LOVE IT!

A recent picture of my Sweet Sophie...

First time at the playground! She loved it!

Sophie can drive

I buckled Sophie in and got her all ready to go. Just told her she needed to be back by bedtime, and she was off for a fun night on the town!

She really is quite the expert

She knows what she's doing!

Just posting a couple pictures!

Sophie just being absolutely ADORABLE!

Sophie in her easter dress at church!

Gnats!

Yesterday was a gorgeous 65 degrees and sunny! So, Paul wanted to take the opportunity to go fishing! I decided that while he was fishing, I would take a nice stroll around the resevoir with Sophie. There are great walking trails and it's just a great place to get some physical fitness in.

So, as I started walking through the forested area... I couldn't help but notice the SWARMS of big black gnats everywhere! Then I noticed them settling on the stroller, and I checked to see Sophie and they we landing on her tray where I had put Cheerios for her to enjoy! WHAT WAS I TO DO??

So, I did the only logical thing I could think of. I started running! Dodging every swarm of gnats I could see myself approaching! Waving my arm in front of me to swat them away! I looked like a complete fool! :) Sophie had a bumpy ride because it wasnt smooth pavement, but she loved it. The whole time she was entertaining herself by listening to her voice sing in vibrato as she "Uhhhhhhhhh, uhhhhhhhh, uhhhhhhhh'ed the whole time. Very cute, I might add. And, somehow her Cheerios managed to stay on the tray.

I finally managed to find a place where the gnats didn't congregate, and the breeze was just right. Sophie loved every minute of our outing. I took a few pictures with Paul's cell phone (posted above). So, Sophie and I sat there, enjoying the fresh air and taking in all of God's beautiful creations... and eating Cheerios.

Aside from the gross gnats, we had a lovely time. :)

Sick of people being diagnosed with Cancer

It seems my blog is nothing but prayer requests, but that's ok. I just want to get the word out.

Please pray for Ryan Deal, who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Ryan and his wife Elanea live in Western PA, where Ryan is a youth pastor. If you're interested in checking out their prayer blog, here is the website: http://patientinaffliction.blogspot.com/

Thanks everyone! I really believe God will heal Ryan, but we just need to keep him in prayer!

A new body for Aunty Patty

Very early this morning, Pat went home to be with the Lord. Although she was weak and very ill, I truely believe she died in peace, because it was evident in her last days here on earth.

I'm rejoicing in the fact that I know she is in heaven, and I know she has a brand new body! Her days of suffering are over and right now she is worshipping God!

Rest In Peace, Aunty Pat! :)

Praising God!

My aunt Patty has been battling cancer for a long time now. But she was just told that she only has a couple of weeks to live (obviously depending on God). So, Wednesday night I was washing my dishes and I was praying for 1) her salvation and 2) that God would heal her.

All of a sudden, I felt an unexplained joy instead of sadness. I looked at the clock to see what time I felt this. I told myself "Either Patty just got saved or she was healed!" So, I expected to hear something the next day. Well, it was until today that I found out at she accepted Jesus Christ into her heart on Wednesday night! I KNEW I WOULD HEAR AWESOME NEWS! So, next I'm waiting to hear that she is competely healed. I know God can do it if He wants to. Will you please pray with me?

God is amazing!

The bus broke down...

Our church has a bus ministry, and last Wednesday night the bus died (after all the kids were dropped off THANK YOU GOD!)

Since the bus ministry brings in most of the kids who make up our youth group, we really need to get a "new" one. The kids coming in on the bus do not come from Christian homes and are from a really rough area. We look forward to giving these kids a "safe place" every week, but it looks like we won't be able to until we can find a bus.

SO, I'd like to ask for you to please think of this when you're praying and ask God to provide us with a new bus quickly and for FREE. Or for cheap. :) Thanks so much!!

RIP Shepherd of the Valley Green Youth Bus!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

I can't believe I didn't blog about this before! Well, I am now, and I really need you guys to please pray for baby Ty who is 20 months old. I don't personally know this boy or his family, but I know the pastor of the church his family is a part of.

Here's the story:

A couple of weeks ago, Ty was playing in his brother's room and fell off the bed. He hit his head on the floor in such a way that it has caused internal hemmoraging, and he has been in ICU ever since. The doctors say he is brain dead and that things "don't look good." They've talked about pulling the plug on this little boy.

Some good news:

SO many people have been praying for a miracle. I know God has been showing me that I need to strengthen my faith. So, as far as praying for baby Ty, I have been praying as if the miracle has already taken place and thanking God for his healing power over Ty's body. I know his church is doing the same. Just yesterday my mom told me that Ty all of a sudden started making some progress!!! The doctors say because of the severity of his brain, this shouldn't be happening. So, already God is starting to do something miraculous! We need to pray for his TOTAL healing!

ONE more thing to pray for in this situation:

The parents are being investigated because they weren't in the room when he fell. So, the older brother (4yrs old) has been taken from them until their investigation proves they are fit to care for them. Anyone who knows the family say that they would never do anything to harm these boys. So, we need to pray that this case is dropped. The parents have enough to worry about with their baby in the hospital. We need another miracle with this situation.

PLEASE PRAY WITH ME!