Sunday, October 29, 2006

We went to Riley Children's Hospital ADHD clinic on Wed. It went well. Austin was such a trooper, he answered all the questions very politely. It was a 2 hour visit. It was basically an intake appointment. You know, they ask you a million and one questions, and then try to point you in the direction you need to go in. The doctor was so kind. He complimented Austin on his social skills. He is very articulate in his words, and he makes good eye contact, very clear in his thoughts. So, with that he ruled out Autism. You know there are people such as Bill Gates who have a very high social functioning form of Autism. Okay, back on track. We were pretty thankful for that. However, he is concerned with the anxiety level this little guy has. Now, here is my motherly opinion on this. Yes, his anxiety level is high, he doesn't handle change well at all, any change at all. Also, he doesn't sleep well at night, and I think that it is because he worries about everything, and then in turn he is tired. So then on top of his normal level of anxiety he is now tired, which results in the outbursts of rage we see in him. Bless his little heart. He is also a perfectionist, which doesn't help with the anxiety he feels. Anything less than perfection and it messes with his mind.

Okay, so now, since the intake doctor has decided what we should begin our quest on. We go back on November 17 for a medication evaluation. I'm pretty excited about this. Now, I know there are those who don't agree with medication, however, when you see your child suffer the way Austin does, it is a welcome addition. We prayed, read, studied and talked to our doctor for almost 1 year before we even tried the medication that he is on now. Believe me, it was a definate last resort.

Let me tell you as a Austin's Mom, it was awful for me to see him suffer so. He was so extremely active, that most people could not handle being around us for long. People would even not be very kind to my boys at times. It was very clear, I could see it, and I could sense it, and people even admitted it. It is just awful to have people dislike your child because of a chemical problem in their brain, that there is medication to help.

Okay, I'll not go on this tangent any longer. I would just ask that you help us pray that we will get something figured out soon. Thanks in advance.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

We're back

We just got back from Indy for the visit. It was not bad at all. It was basically an intake appointment. We just answered lots of questions. Austin did alot of the talking. The Dr. ruled out Autism (which I really wasn't too concerned aobut) because his social skills are extremely good. He is very articulate, he makes lots of eye contact. He is however, worried about the anxiety and temper problems he has. I personally feel that the anxiety causes the outbursts of anger. I think things just bother him soo much that he has these outbursts. We go back again in a few weeks to see this guy again, then he is referring us to a doctor to work on medication for him. Hopefully, that will be quick.

He is such a good kid. I'm glad we are finally getting help with him. He has got so much potential, and without a little help, he'll be a mess.

I ended up taking Zach along for the ride, because the kids got out of school early today, and I didn't have a sitter. They were both great in the car, and very well behaved in the office, and everywhere we went. It was not stressful at all. Praise the Lord for that. I was worried, since I had to wake them up so early, that they'd be a little cranky. Not at all.

Thanks for the prayers in advance.

Austin



Today is the day. I'm taking Austin to Riley Children's Hospital for his ADHD. Please pray that the doctors will find something that will work for this great kid.

Sunday he was a mess. Anymore, he has more bad days than good. He was just digging at his head, eyes and just his body. He said he felt like he had rocks in his hair, and things like that. He is just so "hyper" and hyper-sensitive that it was bothering him on Sunday terribly. It just absolutely breaks my heart to see him suffer the way he does.

Thanks in advance for your prayers.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Great devotion

This devotion was great. I just read it. It deals so much with what I've been thinking lately.

One thing that Heather posted a while back, and I totally agree with her. Sometimes, we get so distracted in what we are doing, that we forget our true focus. Our focus should be on Christ himself, and if we keep our focus correct, the rest will fall into place. The Holy Spirit will be a work in our lives, and we will bear the fruit of that. How often do we, well, maybe just I, get so caught up in the work of God, and loose sight of God. It is so easy. We need to say focus on the creator, and he will direct our steps.

Okay, now for the devotion. How many times do we live our lives so busy we can't even see straight. I know, I've been there. I do try and not overcommit myself, but at times it does happen. What is the caution here in the reading?

"You have no idea of where or how God is going to engineer your future circumstances,
and no knowledge of what stress and strain is going to be placed on you either at home
or abroad. And if you waste your time in overactivity, instead of being immersed in
the great fundamental truths of God’s redemption, then you will snap when the
stress and strain do come."

If we will immerse ourselves in God's word, and have a intimate personal relationship with Christ, then when the stresses of life come, he will work through us to help us through. WOW, .

"Heavenly Father, I thank you so much for the blood of your precious son Jesus. I am a sinner, so unworthy, but you are faithful to your word. You've said if anyone will call on your name and believe they will be saved. I have faith, and believe. Thank you for my redemption that was paid for on Calvary. Today, I ask that you forgive me for the sin in my life. The sin of unfaithfulness to you. The sin of anger towards my family and especially my children. The sin of pride that every so quietly sneaks into our lives. I am absolutely nothing without you precious gift of grace. I ask that you give me the strength , the grace I need each day to deal with lifes difficulities. I ask that you give me the courage to be bold with my faith for your names sake. The faith that is a gift from you. It is not my own. Help me Lord not to become prideful of my faith. My faith is a gift from you, without your gift of faith, I would be a lost sinner. I thank you Lord for that heart transplant that you preformed in my life. You opened my heart to the truth. Let me never forget that it is all a gift, undeserving gift from you. I pray a prayer of blessing on my children. Father, help me to be a Godly mother, and an example of the grace that you've given me. Help me to train them in Your ways, not mine, not the worlds, but in the ways that are pleasing to you. Thank you for your many blessings in my life. Thank you for the ways you reveal yourself to me each day. God, you are the all powerful, sovereign Lord. You deserve all the praise and glory. In your sons, oh so precious name, I ask all these things. Amen.

Funny Austin story

My Austin called me hysterically crying yesterday at work. I was trying to calm him down to find out the problem. I'll share it with you.

In the mornings, when I have to work early I have a girl come over and get the boys ready for school. Well, on this particular morning, Austin was using the restroom, and walked out in his "undies" and "SHE WAS THERE." (I guess he forgot she was coming) UGH!!! It totally traumatized him. He was so distraught. He couldn't even ride in her car to school. I had to come and rescue him. It was quit comical to me, after the fact. But, even in the evening he cried about it. I told him, "at least you had your undies on"

Poor little guy, things just bother him so much. He is a perfectionist, and a people pleaser. He doesn't want to disappoint anyone (well, he lets his guard down at home, after all "I know you won't kill me Mom.") His whole day was a little off from this incident.

Someday, he'll look back and laugh about this. Well, hopefully!

Monday, October 16, 2006

Lots of exciting happenings!

Well, this is going to be short and to the point (well, that is the plan anyway), as I have to get up early in the am tomorrow. Anyone who knows me, knows I don't do mornings very well at all.

Okay, I've shared about my friend Becky. She comes for the same background. She is from my "former faith family." Well, there is another girl at work. She also is from our "former faith family." In all actuality, she is from the church my husband Pastored, and she is who she is from our teaching. UGH!!!! I have prayed that God would forgive me for leading people in the wrong direction, and I truly believe he has. It simply blows my mind when I think of the way I used to believe. Okay, back on track. Becky, who is about 10 years younger than I, and not married, has befriended Ashley,who is junior in High School(see much closer in age, than Ashley and I). Ashley has asked questions, and Becky has answered. Ashley has agreed to come to our church at least 3 times before she makes a judgement on whether or not she likes it. That may sound odd, but let me tell you, when you come from an emotional driven church, to a church that is reformed in worship, it can be quit odd to you. Ashley is hungry for truth. God has opened her understanding. Last night, she talked to me some. I gave her a copy of my testimony. She told me she read it today, and it makes sense to her. She even told me that, "I know that had I read this a year ago, I would have thought you were crazy." Hallelujah! I'm so excited, I can't hardly stand it. I explained to her, that God is doing a work in her heart, or she still would not see what I'm saying. When we left our former faith, I had some long heart to heart talks with Ashley, and she just didn't understand, and I told her she was always welcome to come with us, but not to follow me, just because it is me. Wow, I'm just so excited I could dance. I just keep asking her, "what makes you right with God?" If you get that right, the rest will follow.

Well, I'm sure I'll post more on this later, but for now, I just wanted to share a little of the story. It was just too good not to share. Please help me pray concerning this situation. Thanks in advance.

Small blessings!
















I just have to share this also. (Boy, I'm in the sharing mood today)

With my new position at work, I am required to work 1-2 evenings a week. Usually I work one until 9 or 10 and then I get one somewhat earlier evening. Well, usually my late night is Mondays. Not too bad really. Rob usually brings the boys up to see me, and I do see them in the am before school. I also have the morning to catch up on things that get away from us, like laundry and just general housework.

Tonight, Jordan calls me at work. Here is our conversation.

Jordan: "Mom, what time do you get off work?"

Me: "9 o'clock"

Jordan: "AW MAN!"

Me: "Why, what do you need?"

Jordan: "Nothing"

Me: "What, do you miss me?" (I say this half kidding, thinking yeah right! He is a tweenage boy, what am I thinking)

Jordan: "Yes, I really was hoping you'd be home tonight."

Now, let me tell you that just made my day. See, Jordan is the oldest, and sometimes I feel like he is so distant. He is a boy, and he is going through that "break away from Mom" stage, and it just melted my heart to know that he DID miss his Mom. Also, I sometimes feel like I'm so hard on him, and I don't want him to dislike his mean ol' Mom. And guess what? He loves me. What a great kid.

Just thought I'd share my sweet boy story of the day.

Insurance

I just have to share this bit of information.

My husband just got this new job. It has great benefits, health, dental and visions insurance. So, of course we are real excited about this. We've not had health insurance for a long time. Well, get this. Simply because my job offers insurance, I can not be covered under his policiy. No biggie, I think. I'll just get my health coverage from my job, and then since my employer doesn't offer dental or vision, Rob can carry me for that, right? NOT!!! Doesn't that just stink. They told him it is either all or nothing. That is crazy if you ask me, but what can I do about it. I was really looking forward to being able go to the dentist without having to pay a fortune, guess not. Oh well, just thought I'd vent. UGH!!!! At least in a few months I'll have decent health insurance for myself through my employer, and Rob and the boys will have good coverage.

One Word Meme

Okay, I got tagged last week, I'm quit behind on my blogging. Here it is. Grafted Branch tagged me for this one word meme.

This is a very simple meme. You just pick one word you would use to describe me. All you have to do it leave a comment for me. This ought to be interesting. If you should desire you can explain why you chose the word you chose. It is up to you. Thanks for playing along.

Now, guess what I get to tag people. Here goes.
Heather, Karen, Becky. Have fun!

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Random Thoughts

This post on Restoring the Years have made me think. The world is full of evil. In all actuality my own family is full of evil. (okay, not my family that lives in my house right now) So I guess in our house things get talked about more often than maybe someone else's. Our boys doctor told us we needed to be open with our children (age appropriately) about the evil's in our family. Reason, they need to know that if something should happen to us, and say my parents decided to try and get custody of them, NO WAY!!!!! He is old enough, and he needs to know things because he would be able to stand up against it. Okay, I've said all that for this.

These horrific things have happened in the past few weeks. I'm talking about the school shootings. It is unimaginable to me. However, Restoring the Years point was that we need to teach our children to live for eternity. Didn't Paul say it best, "to live is Christ, to die is gain"
If we have assurance of salvation, what is there to fear in dieing. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't wake up everyday and think, "oh, it would be nice to die today", or "oh, I just can't wait until my husband and children die" Not at all. In fact, I tell my husband about once a week, "you know I'm just not ready for you to die." However, if our home for eternity will be with our Heavenly Father, why do we fear.

Okay, now back to why I was even posting this crazy post. One day we were talking to our oldest son about the sovereignty of God. Rob asked Jordan something to this effect. "If you were diagnosed with cancer what would your response be?" Of course at first he said, "that would be awful." Then he thought for a moment and simply said, "well, if that is what God wants me to go through then obviously he'll help me get through it." WOW!!!! He is only 12. I guess he does understand the sovereignty of God. God is in control of all things all the time. Now, don't get me wrong, we should not just be like "whatever will be, will be." Not at all. We should weep with those that weep and rejoice with them when they rejoice. And by no means do I think we should tell someone who is going through a hard time, "oh, it was ordained by God." That is not what they need to hear at that moment. We should lift them up in prayer, and be a comfort to them.

I guess I said all that to say this. We should raise our children with eternity in mind. Our primary purpose is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. He is sovereign and in control of all things all the time. We should not live in fear, for HE hold us in his hands and will never let us go.

I hope this doesn't leave anyone with the thought that I'm morbid or crazy. I'm not sure if I even expressed myself properly. I hope this makes some sense.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

God is good

Today we officially were able to go back to MBC as a family. Rob has been interim Pastor for the past few months. Last Sunday was his last week there. It was a bitter sweet day. We had developed a relationship with the people in such a short time, but it was definatley time to go. I hope you will help us pray that they will find a pastor soon.

This month at MBC we are having a Celebration of the Reformation. Each Sunday morning in worship Pastor Charlie will be teaching on the acronym: T-U-L-I-P. He said this morning about God's smiling providence with there being 5 Sundays in October this year, just enough to cover one letter each week. At the end on Oct. 31, there will be a Reformation Celebration at the church. I look forward to that. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I'm sure it will be fun. It is a fun night, and educational at the same time. I'll post details after it is over.

We are studying the book of Galatians in our Sunday School class. What a great book. Actually, could you name one that is not a great book. DUH!!!

I love to see God's work in the lives of the people around me. It is so exciting. I love it that God has blessed me, and has chosen me to be a part of his great plan. I am so unworthy, but he called me out and chose me to be his, and a grafted branch into the family. WOW!!! It is so humbling, to think, NOTHING--ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, I did or could do makes me worthy of salvation, but he CHOSE ME!!!! God is so wonderful. I'm thankful that he has opened my understanding to the true meaning of salvation by GRACE ALONE, THROUGH FAITH ALONE, IN CHRIST ALONE!! To think just a short time ago, I was trying to live such a holy life to earn my ticket to heaven. UGH!!!!! God is sovereign and I am not. Thank God for his grace.

I could go on and on, I must go to bed. I have to get up early to be at work. I just had to share me excitement of what God is doing in our lives.

Thanks Grafted Branch

Thanks to my friend, Grafted Branch, at Restoring the Years for giving my detailed instructions on how to add links. She is wonderful at explaining things. I am not realy computer literate, if you will, and she has helped me twice now.

First is was how to add links within a post. Like how I linked her blog with her name above. And now adding my list of blog links in my sidebar.

A million thanks.


**Don't you just love her blog name. Grafted Branch. Here is her great explanation of why she chose this name. I love it, wish I would have thought of it first. LOL!!

Bloggy tour of testimonies!

Here it is, the link to my testimony, since I somewhat recently posted it on my blog. I saw this tour of testimonies, and I got excited. I love to share my testimony and read others.

Let me give you some background. I was raised in a UPCI church, and my husband was a Pastor for 8 years, and God through his grace revealed to us so much in the last 2 years. This written testimony was a response to a friend who was "worried about my spiritual state". I felt led by the spirit to share with her in detail why the change and give scriptures to back it up. I hope this helps someone out there.

A praise report about this is, that because I just so happened to have a copy of this in my purse, I was able to share with a friend my testimony, and WOW what a work that God is doing in her life.

It has been and will always be, my prayer that God will help me share the true gospel with people from my former faith family. We were held in bondage to a set of rules. God is so faithful. It is my desire to glorify God in all things.

We are currently attending, and will soon become members of Memorial Baptist Church in New Castle. We are so thankful to find this church. It is quit a drive, but well worth it. This month we are Celebrating the Reformation at our church.

Please let me know what you think. If you have any questions, feel free to comment. Also, I so look forward to reading others testimonies.
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Thanks to Created for HIS Glory for hosting this tour. Check out all the other testimonies.