School has been a struggle for our twins. When they came to live with us, the word "hate" was used over and over to describe school and it was only because their limited vocabulary couldn't come up with a stronger word. This summer they have been doing a program called Learning Rx and it has helped tremendously. Michael has confidence that he did not have before. In fact, he said his favorite thing on the first day of school was math! He was excited that he could solve all the problems on his own and not miss them. Savanna is learning that she has to learn, not just guess answers or simply store it in short-term memory. She too knocked the math out of the park and that spurred her to try harder at Learning Rx the next day! We know there are plenty of challenges ahead for them, even with school, but we are excited about this victory for now. They have needed some victories, especially with school. Our prayer is that as they learn how to learn, they will be able to grasp more important lessons about life, relationships, and Christ.
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I was in a coffee shop and met a woman who I will call Kate. She is an addict and alcoholic. She has lived in abusive relationships. She has also made a lot of bad choices that fuel her problems. She claimed to be a Christian. I was able to share with her that if Christ truly lived in her, God will not let her be tempted beyond what she can bear, BUT with the temptation, in His faithfulness, He provides an escape. The moment the temptation becomes apparent, so does the escape. He does not leave us alone to fight these things (1 Cor. 10:13). This was hard for her to trust. She was about to go smoke a cigarette she claimed she didn't want to smoke because she wanted to quit. I promised her that if Christ was her Lord, there was an escape waiting for her. Let me qualify that what is written below is written for believers in Christ. Those who label themselves as Christ-followers. It really makes no sense to nonbelievers. Spiral Of Colors by Jay Ballanger We've noticed with our daughter that anxiety drives a good bit of behavior. It is understandable considering what she grew up in before foster care & adoption. We are beginning to learn how to identify and address it. It is not always easy to do so and not every situation is clear-cut. Our counselor described it as a spiral. It circles around and the longer it is allowed to continue the bigger it gets. The goal is to stop the thinking (and therefore behavior) as soon as possible. This is not always easy. Yes, it was on this very day in 1998, that Jennifer and Jeff wed in holy matrimony. The beginning of a journey never gives away its future turns and paths. I truly never imagined we would be where we are or that we would have gotten here the way we did. But that is because God has a plan for us. He weaves our choices into that plan and this is a great mystery. An even greater mystery than marriage. One thing I have learned over and over is that God has an infinite sense of humor and an infinite sense of irony. Even more so, His great love and mercy. I am amazed and grateful for my bride, for she is mine and I am hers. I am thankful for the full house He has blessed us with in four children, especially the one that keeps bugging me while I try to write this!! Can't a guy get a little time to himself to blog?! Gotta go put some kids to bed and kiss my bride! |
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