(from June 17, 2005)

June 17th
I probably should just go to bed…it is after midnight and I am keyed up, there is just so much on my mind. Robbin is coming home in a few days and I am excited and anxious. I so want to see her happy and safe and living a normal life. My prayers are for her future.

There is a lot going on with my niece and I am trying hard not to be depressed about Erin all together. I love her dearly and I’m sure I always will, but I am so concerned for her well-being. She is just so angry and so needy in so many ways. Surely God wants her back, I know He does! He must weep, as I do; for her and her rebellious spirit.

Gneis is recovering from shoulder surgery and needs quiet and rest. I worry about her health and her peace of mind. I wish she would get back in a church that she enjoys somewhere and build a good relationship with other Christains. It would be so good for her. I know I wasted many, many years before I discovered the peace and the love that comes with being in God’s house. Maybe it would help her not worry about Erin so much.

Sheila had a shot in her back to help with the pain she continues to have since her surgery. Bless her heart, I pray that she gets some relief and will be healed completely.

Ronald is working tonight and I am tired. We have had Austin all week and have had a lot of fun with both him and Cole and one day with Sarah too. It’s been a busy week though and we have had little time to ourselves. Next week is Character Quest at church and I am looking forward to and dreading it at the same time. Well, maybe not dreading it; but concerned about getting worn out with the full week of it. (I shouldn’t even think, much less say that. That is inviting the thought to be true. I keep forgetting what I have learned about “speaking curses into our lives”). I know I will be blessed and learn a lot in that week, as much as the children.

I need some down time with my honey. I will have to be careful this weekend, and make sure we get at least a little bit of “just us” time. Sunday is Father’s Day and we will take the futon to Scott’s and go out to an early dinner before the evening service.

One especially great moment with Austin…last night as I was talking to him and trying to get him settled down for the night, we were lying in bed upstairs with the windows open. Ronald had gone to bed and I was making pretty good progress until we started hearing "crunching" noises outside!
We decided to have an adventure and investigate, so I got up and got our big flashlight and we were shining it out of the upstairs window into the back yard and saw shiny little eyes under a tree where we have the squirrel feeder that hold ears of corn.

There was a HUGE raccoon attached to the shiny little eyes and he just kept on munching on the corn that had fallen on the ground. Austin was so impressed...actually, I was pretty intrigued myself! Austin said he has always wanted to see a raccoon, so I helped make a little boy's dream come true last night. I am high on his list of cool people for that. What more could I ask for?!! :) These are the important things in life! God is good! ~