Joslyn went on a field trip today with her 6th grade classmates. They traveled to another town about 1 hour away from Schweinfurt. Joslyn took my camera with her and took some really good pictures of the trip. They went to see a castle, an old German school house and went on a nature walk.
The beautiful country side on the way to Ashbach
I know it's not Monday, but I'm still going to blog about my marriage. In my Wednesday morning bible study group we are working through the book and study guide, Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts
I am learning a lot about God's sovereignty. So far the chapter that has really touched me is chapter 4: God's Sovereignty over People
I already knew that God works in the hearts of people, however it was encouraging to read in more depth how God works in our hearts to fulfill His purposes. As I was reading chapter 4 I thought of Philip, my husband. I saw many changes in his personality and his priorities when he came back from Iraq last year. Even when we moved to Germany in 2008 I saw some changes in Philip. However it seems that these past few months Philip has taken a HUGE step backwards. It looks like Philip is falling in a downward spiral into a pit. He knocks my faith in God, the church body, and religion. He is drinking again (I must say that he is not drinking nearly as much as he was a few years ago, before we moved to Germany. Philip was drinking until he passed out EVERY weekend. He only drinks once every other weekend or so. Philip does not drink in our home like he did a few years ago.) Philip does not participate in as many family activities as he once did- when he first came home from Iraq. His attitude and out look on life has turned sour. I have Philip on the prayer list and all the women in bible study group are praying for him. I will continue to pray for Philip, his heart, mind and his soul. It can be so hard to pray for Philip at times when he hurts my feelings emotionally. Its hard to pray for Philip when he disconnects from our family and just locks himself up in our bedroom. I want to pray for him, but I feel so unloved, unappreciated, not wanted and a burden to Philip. After reading chapter 4 and soaking up what I had read. I think I am beginning to think that I need to work on my attitude and the way I respond to Philip. This is a BIG challenge for me. I will need every bit of God's help. I know that as I work on my attitude towards Philip, I can then be a better light of God to Philip. This will be a hard especially when Philip ignores the girl's and I but goes out and drinks ALL night with his friends. It will be hard to not give him the silent treatment, the cold shoulder or yell at him for his teenage/ childish ways. It will be hard to not throw the "D" word out to him (Divorce). I am going to need lots and LOTS of encouragement and prayers for both Philip and I!
Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases".
Last night everything around the house was stirring about as normal. Joslyn was practicing on her flute, Allison was finishing up her homework on kitchen table, Moriah was climbing onto the kitchen table chairs (she recently figured out how to get onto the chairs and will climb onto the table top) and I was talking on the phone with my mom. My neighbor came over and asked me if I would like to go out for a evening walk with her. I gladly accepted the invitation! While we were on our walk her dog got off the leash and attacked another, much smaller puppy. The puppy was rushed to the emergency vets office and the Military Police were called. A report was made. After information was given and information was taken I came back home. I shared the story with the girls. I walked to my room where Philip was. I was telling Philip about what had happened during my walk with the neighbor. Joslyn and Moriah were behind me and Allison was in the shower. Moriah was trying to make her way into Joslyn's room (we do not like Moriah in Joslyn or Allison's bedrooms, because she gets into everything and always finds something small to put in her mouth). Joslyn closed her bedroom door not noticing that Moriah's little fingers were in the the crack off the door, where the door hinges are, and the door frame. Joslyn closed the door on Moriah's pinkie finger. I open the door and scooped Moriah up into my arms. I took one look at her finger and saw her finger was smashed flat! I was horrified! I was screaming at Philip, I did not know what to do. I opened the phone book and looked for the phone number to the ambulance. When I called the number of course a local German answered the phone and only spoke German, so I hung up on him. I grabbed a blanket, wrapped Moriah up, had Joslyn grab my purse and car keys and Joslyn and I took Moriah to the ER. I wan't Joslyn to come with because she was so scared and so upset that she closed the door on Moriah's little finger. I wanted Joslyn to see that Moriah was going to be okay, and I did not want Joslyn to have to stay home and worry her little heart away.
I prayed the entire way to the ER.
When we arrived at the ER the doctor came out right away. I explained to him what had happened. The Doctor had the X-ray Technician come in and she took Moriah and I around the corner into the x-ray room. She took 2 x-rays of Moriah's finger. We were then escorted to a bed to wait for the results. Less than 5 minutes later the Doctor came in and let us know that her finger was not broken! I was so relieved! Through out the ordeal I tried to reassure Joslyn that this was an accident. I told Joslyn I loved her and everything would be okay! I was happy Joslyn was with me when the Doctor confirmed that her finger was not broken. The nurse tried to wrap Moriah's pinkie in a bandage wrap, but Moriah pulled it all off with in a minute of it being put on her. The Doctor told us everything was just fine and I could give her tylenol for the pain. We were then released. We were in the ER no more that 30 minutes! AMAZING! God was all over this situation!
When we got home Moriah and I laid down with Joslyn in her bed and I prayed over Joslyn. She was so shook up from what had happened. I wanted to help give her peace. I prayed out loud over Joslyn and Moriah fell asleep while I was praying for Joslyn. I took Moriah and placed her in her crib. I then climbed back into bed with Joslyn and ran my fingers through her hair until she feel asleep.
I am so thankful for the many blessing God blessed us with in this situation. He is wonderful! I thank you Lord for holding Moriah in your hands and keeping her from great danger!
It's been a little hard for me to get into the Fall spirit. With Fall comes shorter days (it will start getting dark at around 5pm), less sunshine, and winter is just around the corner. I don't like the winter over here at all! I bought a couple of candles. One is a Spiced Pumpkin scented candle and the other is a Autumn leaves scented candle. I'm still not much into the Fall spirit even when my home smells like things of fall! I really like the "fall weather" in San Antonio. It's not too cold in San Antonio and I don't have to worry about snow and the bitter cold of the winter that hits most other states.
On Thursday our family recorded our Holiday Greeting that will air on local TV channels across south TX beginning Thanksgiving day and show through New Years Day!
Allison and Joslyn were finally able to see the movie Ramona and Beezus at our local movie theater here on post last weekend. They really enjoyed the movie. It was a cute little flick.
I started a new bible study on Sunday morning called Apologetics for a New Generation . From this study I hope to learn how to better defend my faith and become more effective in my witness to others. To become salt and light to others. We are reading chapter 2 this week.
Joslyn, Allison, their friend Alisha and I went to see Kris Allen in concert. Kris Allen won season 9 of American Idol. He is on a Support the Troops tour and Schweinfurt was one of his stops! Philip stayed home with Moriah.
Joslyn recently had her hair cut and has bangs now! It took a few days for Joslyn to adjust to the huge change in length. She looks very pretty!
This morning PWOC (Protestant Women Of the Chapel) had the annual Fall kickoff at the chapel. Everyone was introduced to the new board members of PWOC. We sang praise songs, prayed and watched a skit.
All the ladies were then divided into small groups for a devotional. Each group was given a type of light (neon light, candle light, flash light, porch light). My group- Cathy, Ashley, another Denise and myself -had the Warning Light. In my group we discussed how a warning light is similar to God's Light. We thought of a light house. A light house keeps ships from danger. Captains of ships keep their eyes on the light house while at sea. We stay focused on God's light- The Word.
For the next few months we are going to learn more about being "salt" and "lights" for God in this world.
Shine in the Light of His Glory!
On Saturday our family drove about an hour and a half to the Nurnberg Zoo. I packed a lunch for every one and we had a nice picnic lunch just outside of the zoo.
