It is most noticeable in the mornings. As I write this, Joanne is still moving in and out of sleep. Emma just got up a few minutes ago but is still in bed playing with the iPad. Audrey is still asleep and will probably remain so for the next couple of hours--that girls can sleep in! Of course she was probably up until midnight doing some form of crafting. But the point it that is is quiet. Normal mornings are noisy! Everyone is up and moving. Breakfast is being prepared and eaten, outfits are chosen and put on. Hair is getting done (or maybe not). Teeth are being brushed, etc.. But this morning, on the second official day of summer vacation the house is utterly silent.
I love it!
We got the girls their pool passes this weekend. That means either one of them can go to the neighborhood pools by themselves whenever they want. Emma went once and it wasn't particularly warm and it was particularly breezy. So I dropped her off and told her to call me when she was ready to come home and that I would come get her. So about 5 minutes after I am home I get the call, "Dad, I'm freezing!" Looks like she jumped the gun on the pool thing just a little bit. But there will be many fun days at the pool in the future. The main pool is not the most handicapped friendly place but I think we can still get Joanne there without too much trouble. The other pool is a peice of cake.
Prayer Requests:
1. Praise: Joanne is sleeping better over the past few weeks then she ever has. What a blessing for both of us!
2.. Making some big decisions about school next year for the girls. I can't get a hold of the right person at Denver Christian to see what the deal is with our financial aid packet but I am guessing that Emma will end up back at DC and Audrey might give Cherry Creek a try. We have started that conversation with Audrey but still have a lot of ground to cover before she would be OK with that. Please pray that God directs! I would desperately love to keep both kids at DC but it just might not be possible.
3. Please pray for traveling mercies for both my mom and Joanne's folks. Both are at funereals this week--my mom for her Dad and Gran and Papa for their brother in law. These are sad time when you lose loved ones. Pray for thier spirits as they celecbrate the lives of these two men and give them comfort.
Toben
Oh summer fun! I am anxiously waiting for my son to finish off his last bits of school so we can take a break from the books.
Praying and praying for you guys often. Keep looking up and trusting in Jesus, our only real hope.
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Posted by: Child of God | May 29, 2012 at 09:20 AM
I'm mostly a lurker when it comes to blog reading. But I've followed the blog since shortly before Joanne's stroke. I took have a daughter in Christian school. Nearly 3 years ago my husband lost his job and we have had to apply for financial aid each year to keep her there, but it is something we feel strongly about. If you decide there is a way to help, I'd love to send a donation. It won't be much as we just brought home our adopted daughter from China (yes, God DOES have a sense of humor when He says "Obey"!), but I understand the conviction behind Christian education. Blessings to your family!
Posted by: Sandra Taylor | May 29, 2012 at 02:09 PM
I am also a person who reads your blog and have been blessed by it. Both of my sons are now "off the payroll" and I too would like to pledge support. Please Let us know how we can help. I know God will make everything possible and already has the plan in place. His grace is ever present. Thank you for the posts...your struggles as a family have strengthened my faith.
In his most holy name I give thanks for you and yours.
Posted by: Teri | May 29, 2012 at 03:17 PM
I have been following also, though rarely commenting. I would pledge and send a monthly amount.
Posted by: Beth | May 29, 2012 at 03:55 PM
Toben and Joanne,
We have a daughter, aged nearly 9, with intellectual and mild physical disabilities. We realised at the end of 2011, we couldn't keep funding everything related to her therapies, medications, in-home support etc, so we went out to our school community, family, friends via email and said we needed help.
We aimed to raise $30 000 over the course of a year. And five months on, we have raised nearly that.
It was hard to ask for help BUT we figured that God would answer us by it either being a total flop or showing us just how many people out there wanted to help. Thankfully for us it has been the latter.
God Bless your family and may God send you the answers you need in relation to the girls schooling.
Posted by: Michelle From Australia | May 29, 2012 at 10:44 PM
Praying it!
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Posted by: Kim Feth | May 30, 2012 at 07:06 PM
Thinking of and continually praying for you two. Would love to see you when next in Springs.
Posted by: K. Kelley | June 05, 2012 at 05:39 PM
Just want to make sure that a commitment made by our family carries forward even though I posted awhile ago. Our family will match up to $1,000 toward tuition at Denver Christian. I have notified the school. Toben and Joanne, when you make a decision, please post asap. God bless you!
Posted by: anonymous | June 06, 2012 at 06:21 AM