Happy Anniversary!

Today was our 28th anniversary. We celebrated by leaving our children in the capable hands of Mandy and Alex. Yesterday we went to another workshop. The topic of this one was trauma (we chose this because we are raising children who have suffered trauma, not because we've been married for 28 years). After the workshop, we checked into a hotel and spent the night all by ourselves. When we sat in bed in the morning, no little person came in uninvited and jumped in between us, no Beagles came in to see where their breakfast was, no cats scratched on the door, and nobody was fighting in the kitchen. It was wonderful, for one night, and now it's good to be home. They all did well, and there were no casualties, so maybe we'll do that again!

Where is God?

I have, especially in the past few years, questioned whether God is really paying attention to what's going on down here. Even if He ignored the people who ignore Him (which He doesn't), that's still billions of lives and problems to juggle. A few of us are bound to slip through the cracks, right? How important are the problems of one little boy and the family who loves him in the grand scheme of things?
My limited human understanding may have doubts, but my faith tells me that I shouldn't underestimate a God who has every hair on our head numbered (Matthew 10:30)! Granted, some people don't have any hair on their heads, but still...

The death of a child has got to be about the lowest of the low, but there is some comfort in knowing that, while the parents hearts are broken, the child is at peace in the arms of Jesus. I worried how we could handle losing Scott to his birth mom knowing how terrified he is at the prospect of that happening. What I now realize is that every one of us is always in the arms of Jesus. He never leaves our side from the moment we are conceived until He welcomes us Home.
Like the lyrics from, I Will Praise You in This Storm,"I thought He would have stepped in and saved the day by now, but it's still raining!" "For You are who You are , no matter where I am, and every tear I cried, You hold in Your hand, You never left my side". Just think about the awesomeness of a God, who knows everything there is to know about us, but still wants to stay by our side and let our tears fall in His hands!
God is HERE, always, and forever. He is not causing the storm or allowing the storm. He is walking side by side with us through the storm. If we have the faith that ultimately He is in control, He will step in. It may not be the way we hope, but He will provide a gift of PEACE that passes all human understanding to carry us through the storm. All you have to do is accept the gift! No, we don't deserve it, but it's ours for the taking. That's called GRACE!

Band Video (Pause Playlist before playing)

Band Video (Pause Playlist before playing)

City of Refuge Comes to Town!

The worship band from Stephanie's college blew in for the weekend and blessed the congregation of First Presbyterian with their music on Sunday. Thank you, Michael, Samantha, Lauren, Doug, Melissa, and Stephanie!

Look Out 1st Pres!

Stephanie's school worship band, City of Refuge, is coming to play at both services at church tomorrow!