Been a while, Sorry!!!!!

"The JOY of the LORD is your STRENGTH" Nehemiah 8:10

First, so sorry for not updating the blog for almost two weeks. Time has gone by so fast. With preparations for school, life, cooking, life, having fun, life, cranking out 4H Record Books, etc..... things just got wrapped up and I lost track of time. I do treasure the time to update the blog and I will be more diligent. I think now that school has started that life may slow a bit. Sure there are still only 24 hours in a day, but the days are more structured with school and where everyone is supposed to be, so I think that things will slow a bit. This will be a big update on what is going on.

First, the scripture out of Nehemiah. Our focus is and has been the JOY we have in our LORD. This is a JOY that is not dependent on our circumstances but a choice. We can not choose to be strong, but we can choose to be joyful in the Lord, and what follows is a strength that compares to none other. If we expect our circumstances to bring us JOY, we will always be looking for some magical moment (new car, new job, new.... NOT, won't bring JOY, maybe happiness, a happy feeling) but JOY is an attitude. Pray the JOY will continue like it has in each of us.

Leah is back at home with us. Right after the fair, she came home and last week, she started her orientation for Student teaching at Dalton Elementary. She will be teaching fourth grade for 10 weeks. Keep in mind that Laura is in the fifth grade and Kayla is in the third grade at Dalton Elementary. So they see each other all the time. So this time and scheduling is a blessing of the Lord. He is faithful. Also, Kayla and Laura's teachers are both strong Christians which is an answer to pray. They are doing well. Kayla signed up for cross country racing. Laura is signed up for Road Crew (singing group) and will get into playing the violin this year. So anyone know of a violin for sale or rent?
Hannah is now in Nursing school at North Idaho College!!!! She has been very diligent at studying. She passed her first big test on Wednesday. We are so proud of Hannah. This particular nursing course is for her LPN certificate (10 months). Susan was an LPN up until we started having kids 26 years ago. So this is a special career path for Hannah, honoring to Susan. She will then have the option to continue on with her studies to be an RN, down the road.

Prayer requests:
1) Hannah's nursing studies, balancing school and taking care of the home.
2) Nathan and Michelle flew out today for a cruise out of Miami, for 7 days. Pray that hurricane IKE stays clear of all their planned activities on that Carnival cruise. They will be back on Sept. 13th. Carnival deals with hurricanes all the time. So pray for their tolerance to heavy SEAS.
3) Leah's student teaching, patience in the classroom. Also, focus on jobs/work after the 10 weeks is up.
4) I go on my reserve active duty for two weeks, starting September 15th. Leah is at home to take care of the home front. Mary, Laura and Kayla will stay with friends that also go to school with them. So that will work out. I will miss them dearly. Pray that it will all work out. Duty calls.
5) Sarah started her live in Nanny position over in Spokane, WA. She works for two doctors, with two kids. She gets full medical/dental benefits and an SUV to drive. We miss Sarah already, but she is having a good time.
6) Keep praying for all of the family. There are still plenty of tears in our grieving over the loss of Susan.

Praises:
1) Thank you Kelly M. and Lara S. for your willingness to pick up the children to/from school. What a huge blessing.
2) School is going well for the girls and Aaron (11th grade).
3) The 4H record books got submitted on time. Looked pretty good. Also, Laura's lamb that was underweight for the auction was brought back home. We found a buyer, thanks Ken and Shelley.

I tried to upload some pictures of activites but was unable. Checking it out. So be patient.