- Had breakfast with a good friend and ministry team leader at LCC who shared with me that his family was moving on to another church. It was a good breakfast and I was not totally surprised, but it still stinks. The relationship will not be affected because God is bigger than that, but I will really miss this family.
- I have been struggling with a growing tooth ache over the past week and this morning the pain spiked. It brought me to tears and the only relief was ice or cold water. I found myself in a dentist chair to learn that the tooth I had just gotten replaced with a cap now has infection behind it and I will need a full root canal tomorrow afternoon and full payment of $750 due at time of procedure. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! We just cut up our credit cards as part of FPU. There goes that emergency fund.
- I came home from lunch to find out that my kids had been picking at each other and fighting all morning. Jen was at her limit and the day had only just begun.
- TOOTH PAIN, TOOTH PAIN, TOOTH PAIN! Ugghhhh! I finally got Tylenol with Codeine and it did NOTHING!
- Caleb had a really bad evening. He had several break downs, he could not obey and then he started hitting on me, so he spent a lot of time in his room and screaming! Lauren has now entered a stage where she does whatever her brother does, so when he screams, guess what she does, you got it, she screams too!
I think I have all the crud out in the open now. Doesn't my day stink? I am in a really stinky valley with no hope, right? NO! Not really! That stuff is just life. When I really think about this day, even as my pain in my mouth cuts like a knife, I realize God is faithful and working. It is all in perspective and what we allow ourselves to dwell on. Here is another perspective of this day:
- I have a home, a family, money in the bank, all bills paid and my freedom.
- I have a great church family in which I work, serve and share!
- E-mailed Kristyn to talk about what it means to be a member of LCC.
- I have great life-long friends (inside and outside LCC)
- John Lucas brought me sauerkraut today.
- I got to talk to Mary Anne about her positive experience at LCC, getting baptized and joining the church.
- Dan P and I got to work on a really exciting form of shepherding, small groups and community to be implemented sometime soon.
- Found out our good friends the Constables will be joining our family for Thanksgiving dinner next week.
- Jen made the most incredible dinner of Parmesan pancakes and bacon.
- I got to take 2 vicodin this evening.
- My dentist got me in today and the specialist can get me in tomorrow.
- My son has the greatest kindergarten teacher in the world.
- Lauren actually said "I Love You" today.
- Caleb read about 15 sight words perfectly today.
- I tucked both of my healthy and happy kids in bed tonight
- I get to lie down with my sweetheart and sleep with a roof over my head for one more night.
God, forgive me when I get trapped in the valley of life. Thank you that I was able, only by your grace and mercy, see out of the valley through faith. I really feel victory (even though I am in pain) knowing that I am practicing what I preach. I pray for everyone at LCC and anyone who reads this, that all will have "Biggie Sized Faith" consistently through the valleys and mountaintops of life. Don't give up on me God and please help me get past this painful tooth ache. Nothing is impossible with you. Oh yeah, and thank you God for prompting Faith Peel to send this picture, I mean, God sighting, to me today!
