ON THE JOURNEY TO VICTORY

Journal Entry week of June 18 - 24, 2006
OVERVIEW OF THE WEEK:
This has been an interesting week. It started out pretty good. On Sunday we spent Father’s Day at Caryl’s swimming in the pool and hanging out. It was a good time we all enjoyed.

We have been having car problems. Our van is not running right now and our car has been overheating. After repairing several parts we thought it was fixed. However when John was coming home from work on Wednesday and heading to church it overheated again. As annoying and frustrating as this is we have found some blessings in this situation. As John was on the side of the road he realized he was not going to make it to church, which he was responsible for the children’s service. This is where our blessings begin. John called our friend Jenn, who works with the children’s ministry also. Jenn & Alice, another children’s worker and friend, picked up the ball and covered the children’s service. In the meantime I have been talking on the phone to our friends Caryl & Lisa about what was going on and they both were so willing to step in and help out however they could. Lisa sent Rodney, her husband, out to help John get the car home. However, Rodney was on the wrong road looking for John and we couldn’t get a hold of him because his cell phone battery was dead. John waited for the car to cool off a little bit and put water in it and then drove it home. Caryl & Rick brought their truck to church to have her mom & brother bring it to our house (since they live closer to us) so that way John could get to work on Thursday.

We feel so blessed and thankful to have this group of friends in our lives at this time. I can not explain how my heart feels so over joyed. I believe it is God working showing us His love and telling us that He is taking care of us no matter what happens.

Another blessing we received this week is that we got a swimming pool. Faye & Ron had an old pool they were no longer using and was going to give it to Goodwill. Instead of giving it to Goodwill they gave it to us. It is about 3 feet deep and the girls are enjoying it very much. Ron, acting like a dad, came over several times to help us put it up and fix the filter, what a blessing.

BETHANY:
Bethany returned home from church camp last Friday. She seemed to have a good time. Ivana, Bethany’s best friend, also went to church camp a week after Bethany. She was excited to get together with Ivana today as she came over to go swimming and spend the night. Ivana was one of Bethany’s first friends when we moved to GA. It’s rewarding to see their friendship (both good and bad times) develop over the past 2 years. Ivana goes to church with us a lot. Today she was asking some deep spiritual questions. I pray that she will continue to see God through our family and we will be knowledgeable to answer her questions. What a joy it will be to see her develop her own relationship with Jesus.

JODY:
It was cute watching Jody swimming in the pool. She is becoming more and more comfortable going under the water. She was all excited doing turns and tricks in the water. She is enjoying having a pool. Bethany & Ivana were being nice to Jody and including her in their play. Jody looks up to Bethany and wants to be around her. This has been an issue we have been working on with Bethany.

WEEKLY PERSONAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. We will be able to get our van fixed this week and no more problems with the car.
2. God would help me to be the best mom and wife I can be.
3. I would have a special moment with Bethany (just her & I) to encourage her faith.
4. I would be able to stick with my exercise plan for this week.