tough times and fun times

I can't believe it's July already. Time goes by so fast sometimes. There have been a lot of changes in the last month and a lot of challanges. I am now the primary careworker in the house I work at. This last shift was my first full shift with my new coworker. It was a very tough shift...because of the girls. However, Saturday was an amazing day. The first day in a long time that none of the girls got in trouble. Hopefully it won't be the last. :-) Yesterday I went water skiing again and finally got up. That was exciting for me. It took three different days to finally be able to get up, but I can water ski!

At the end of the summer we will be going on a 62 mile bike ride (31 miles each way) to a camp called Timberlake. We will spend three days there as a fun retreat before the kids go back to school. We also spend a lot of time swimming, working outside, and hanging out. It's important to keep them busy...it helps keep the problems at bay. :-)

I was able to go home for a visit this month. It was so nice to see family and friends again. But weird to say I was only visiting. The suprise party that I planned for my parents went very well. There were about 35 people there, and my parents were very surprised. They received $940 as an anniversary gift, and have already booked their vacation. Thank you to everyone who came and who gave money. They are very excited about going on a nice vacation. I think I'm more at peace about living in Nebraska for the time being. I continue to learn and be stretched, as well as struggle. It's hard to not let what the girls say to me when their mad get to me. But it's a good way to remind myself that who I am in Christ is more important. A couple months ago I met with a friend, and he reminded me that God doesn't need me to get something done. Some times I get so caught up in what I need to do or can do, that I think things won't happen if I don't do them. Forgetting that I am just a tool that God uses. I'm having to remind myself that it's not about me, but about God and the girls I work with.

Please keep praying for me and the staff and the kids. It's been a tough few months. Please pray that I will have the energy and compassion and understanding. Pray that Christ will become real and personal to these kids, and that they will see who Christ is through the staff. Thanks for your support and encouragment!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,and all that is within me,bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity,who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit,who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord works righteousnessand justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide,nor will he keep his anger forever.

He does not deal with us according to our sins,nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west,so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

As a father shows compassion to his children,so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass;he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenantand remember to do his commandments.

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O you his angels,you mighty ones who do his word,obeying the voice of his word!

Bless the Lord, all his hosts,his ministers, who do his will!

Bless the Lord, all his works,in all places of his dominion.Bless the Lord, O my soul!"

Psalm 103