A very eventful day. We had a little "open house" for Mikey today. An opportunity to thank those that have been there for us. What a good time. Good people, good friends. We are blessed. My friend Doug stopped by sorry he had missed the party. He is really struggling with his own very serious situation. I can't seem to find any words to make it better. Extended family going through tough stuff. God reminded me today at church that He is in control. I just have to keep believing that. Sometime that's all we have. He wants it to be enough.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was saatisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear of death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

I heard a really good sermon today about hardship. He said that the problem with Christians in the U.S. is that we have this mistaken idea that life is supposed to be easy. That it's not normal to have hard times. I am reminded of an old song:

I thank God for the mountains and I thank Him for the valleys
I thank Him for the storms He's brought me through.
For if I never had a problem, I wouldn't know that He could solve them ,
I wouldn't know what faith in His word could do.

My son said the other day that he wouldn't trade anything he's been through for an easier way. I'm glad he feels that way because he has learned that the good and the bad go together to make us into what God wants us to be. In order to learn everything we can about God we need both, so we can see how He is able to work through it all.

So much STUFF going on right now. It seemed to overwhelm me some this week-end but I'm dealing much better. Things I'm learning at Al-Anon can help in all areas and relationships of my life. I think I'm going to look around for a little better fit in another group but I realized tonight that what I have experienced and still am going through I want to be able to use to help others as often as possible. I met a couple tonight that were so full of pain for their son that it seemed to be smeared all over them. My heart went out to them. They had just registered their son in a 28 day program. He is a drug user. They live 3 hrs from here and were on their way home. I could make a list of all the different emotions they had to be feeling. I felt as if I was reliving them all. The best thing I could tell them was to go home, take care of themselves and pray for their son. It isn't always easy but it works. Mikey talked to me today about what he is learning from "Purpose Driven Life". Trust me, that's a big deal!! God is doing a good thing.

My Wonderful Family

Well I watched the last episode of Raymond tonight. Once again it made me laugh and I needed that. But more than that it gave me a little reminder - don't ever take the people you love for granted. Tonight I prayed for my family. I love them and I never want to take them for granted. So for any of my family that reads this post - I love you, I really, really do. And tonight you were prayed for.

The last few days I have enjoyed having my sister visiting. I wish so much she lived nearby but I guess that isn't to be. We really had a nice time. Our trip to Lancaster to see Mikey gave us some time to really talk like we haven't for a long time. I am so glad they were able to see each other. She is leaving today and I will begin getting ready for Pup's return home. I will pick him up bright and early Wednesday morning. So we begin another week full of hope and good days ahead. One day at a time. Lord help me live that way.

Great News

We received some great news today. Mikey will be released from re-hab May 11th, one week from today. YEA!!!!!!!!! It's been a long road and we are coming to the end of this part of the journey. We'll all keep praying and supporting him. I can't wait to talk to him tonight, I'm sure he is excited. He wanted this so badly. Another 30 days would have been tough. Oh well, we don't have to face that. I'm looking forward to my al-anon meeting tonight. Think I'll seek out a sponsor.

I'm borrowing some words again today:

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

The very same God that spins things in orbit,
He runs to the weary, the worn and the weak.
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken,
They conquered death to bring me victory.

Well, I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives.
All of creation testify this life within me cries,
I know my Redeemer lives.

He lives, to take away my shame.
And He lives, forever I'll proclaim that the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive and there's an empty grave.
And I know my Redeemer lives.
Let all creation testify this life within me cries,
I know my Redeemer lives.

I realized this morning I haven't blogged for a week. I'm quite sure everybody is on the edge of their seats waiting for my next post!! HA! We've been playing the waiting game again. There is a paperwork problem (go figure!) and we are trying to figure out when Mikey will get out. It could be as early as May 8th or as long as another 30 days after that. Needless to say he has been crawling out of his skin. We still don't know but we should find out Wednesday. I am really hoping for the best for him but I have to admit, some fear is creeping in, no I would better describe it as some fear is stomping in. I found myself at an al-anon meeting last week and I will definitely be going back. I allowed God to take care of him when he left, I had no other choice. I have to continue doing that when he gets out. It's funny, we are both in the same boat. He has made GREAT progress but he has been in a situation that made it easy to make good choices. We both will be facing our own enemies when this situation changes; he, the temptation of his former lifestyle and me, the temptation to coddle and control. One day at a time, I guess that continues to be our motto. I'm looking forward to worshiping this morning and then after a few hours of work, I will head for the Stetler's for some smores with the family. Have a blessed day.