Change is Inevitable

I have been contemplating whether or not to post the "latest" with my family, but I started this blog to share my thoughts so here goes- it's a long one.

My dad is getting married again. He has met someone at his church whom he says is nice and loves the Lord. They have known each other for less than a month,and want to get married right away. My immediate reaction was shock and disbelief. I got very upset, not only because of the news, but because my dad delivered it by email. This brought up old feelings and emotions that I thought I had under control. I also felt what I can only describe as a sense of betrayal of my mom. (I'm not sure if that makes sense)

It has been a week since my brother and I found out. Since then, I have gone through every emotion you can imagine from anger to fear and sorrow. I moved into a kind of "parent mode" -wanting to protect my dad from getting hurt, and from making the wrong decision. Dad and Reuben came this weekend to celebrate my birthday. We had a long talk about things and Reuben and I shared our hearts. While dad didn't understand our concerns, he at least listened to us and I hope we gave him some things to think about. We feel he is rushing things, and would like him to wait at least 6 months to get to know her. He doesn't feel he can do that (for other reasons) and is sure the Lord brought her into his life for a reason- he believes she is part of the vision God gave him for the property in N.C.(that's a whole other story). In fact, he prayed for a wife. He is confident this is his answer to prayer.

So here I am a week later. I know two things: 1. God is in control and 2. my dad can make his own decisions. At first, I prayed that God would open dad's eyes and change this decision, but then I realized (how selfish!) I should be praying that God's will be done and that we all have peace about whatever happens. Who am I to say that this isn't someone God put in my dad's life? I actually feel more settled within my soul, because I know that God knows what He's doing. He's walked through the last year with us, and He will continue to do so. I can only trust in Him...

This Week's Projects

This one's for Cassie- She said she wanted to see my watercolor so here it is. It's not bad for my first watercolor painting since high school...I've got a ways to go to get as good as mom, but as they say, "practice makes perfect!"




I also made this easter wreath- it's super easy! I bought a straw wreath that was wrapped in plastic, and left the plastic on so it just gave me the shape I wanted. Then, using hot glue, I glued the large eggs, beginning on the inside of the wreath, and added the small eggs to fill in.

Something's Gotta Give

This week at school, the kids were crazy. You would think it was after spring break and that they had already taken PACT. Each day, there was at least one fight, and some days two! By Friday, ISS (In School Suspension) was packed!

Something else happened this week. A 6th grade student threw a chair at his teacher. I have taught this child for the last 3 years. Yes, he has behavior problems, doesn't want to be productive, is constantly out of his seat bothering others; but no way did I think he was capable of something like that. The teacher ended up going to the hospital, and may not be back. (Can you blame her?!)

This little boy has no stable home life whatsoever. His mom is on drugs, he and his brother are unkempt and hungry, and they fear going home because of the danger where he lives. Now, this is no excuse for his behavior, and there is only so much we can do as teachers to provide the care and compassion students like him need. His life consists of simply surviving-most of the time on the streets- school ends up at the bottom of his priorities. I'm left feeling frustrated, because at my school there are many others like him...I just hope that this time away from our school will prove to change him for the better.