Read-a-thon

Today was the read-a-thon and pajama day at Joshua's school and I, along with hundreds of other parents, were invited to come to our children's classrooms and read to them. It was so fun. Joshua and I read through a dozen books last night to decide which ones to read at school. The winners were: "Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type," "The Day the Goose Got Loose," "Friends," and "The Right Number of Elephants." These are some of my favorites and Joshua had fun "reading along" with me -- kind of showing off to his friends.



The Multipurpose room at the school was set up for parents and volunteers to get snacks and enjoy various students' work displayed on the walls. I was thrilled to see that one of Joshua's papers was selected to be posted on the wall. He is a very good printer. Yes, I am a proud Mama.

The sun came out around noon, I had a good walk and am starting to believe that these feelings won't last forever. Thanks for your prayers.

Sheryl

A hurt knee

I guess you could say that Joshua has experienced his first "sports injury." Last night he was playing at a friends house and while bouncing on the trampoline his knee landed on the metal pole at the edge of the mat. He wasn't in too much pain last night, but he has been "milking it" for all it's worth today. This morning it took about 10 minutes for me to playfully get him to stretch his knee out after he slept with it bent. This evening there was more moaning about how much it hurt. I don't think it's anything serious, but we do have his annual doctor's exam tomorrow, so he can take a look at it. I expect it is just a bruised knee.

My mood kind of fits the weather we are having in Southern California -- gray, gloomy and rainy. I have moments of activity and positive thoughts but also many moments of sadness and just feeling sorry for myself. I anticipate growing through this year and coming out on the other side stronger, but right now I feel too "squishy" to be strong.

Thanks for your prayers and encouraging words. God is good.

Sheryl

Computer Problems

I'm sure there will be harder problems to deal with during this next year, but my Internet connection has not been working right for the past two days and that was so frustrating. Jon is the computer-guy in our household. Because of that I was unable to post on my blog yesterday. Fortunately I am blessed with a brother-in-law who knows everything there is to know about computers and much more. :) Okay, that might be a little overstated, but he had the answer -- disconnect my modem and try again. Don't you love it? If something mechanical isn't working, just turn it off, give it a few minutes and then restart it. In my experience that has worked for modems, computers and cell phones. There's probably a spiritual or emotional application that could follow, but my brain can't process it so you'll have to come up with your own.

This weekend was pretty tough. Jon wasn't home Saturday to play with Joshua so I could do chores. When Joshua helped me with the chores (cleaning the kitchen counters) he gave it his all and so I had extra work to clean up after him. But Saturday evening and Sunday morning were such a blessing. I got my eyes off myself as our church had a World Vision child sponsorship drive for children of Nkhoma, Malawi. That is the Area Development Project that I visited on my trip to Malawi in the spring of 2005. In our first two days of the event congregation members sponsored about 250 children. It was so awesome to see members of this San Clemente congregation get excited about participating in the lives of children on the other side of the world. Here is a picture of Joshua and me with pictures of the girl and boy we are sponsoring. Note Joshua's outfit. He specifically chose that shirt and shorts so he would match the World Vision orange and white color scheme at church -- we had tons of balloons.



On top of that, Jon called and Joshua and I both got to talk to him for about 20 minutes. :)

Blessings,

Sheryl

A hymn for the ages

This week I have been encouraged by the words of an old hymn (written in 1874) that have sprung to mind throughout the day. The hymn is Like a River Glorious and the final words of the third verse and refrain have been such an anchor for me this week. I offer the words to you as an encouragement for wherever you may be today.

Sheryl

Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace,
Over all victorious in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Hidden in the hollow of his blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Son of Love;
We may trust him fully all for us to do;
They who trust him wholly find him wholly true.

Refrain:
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest,
Finding, as he promised, perfect peace and rest.

Copied from The Worshiping Church: A Hymnal, Hope Publishing Company

Getting Started

A number of people have asked how they can stay in touch with Joshua and me while Jon is deployed. I don't know if this will work, but I'm going to try my own blog.

The beginning of this week was very difficult. Dealing with the sense of loss, the saddness, the anger, the whirlwind of emotions, the chaos in my brain, the inability to sleep... Fortunately my counselor encouarged me on Wednesday that everything I was feeling emotionally and physically was completely normal. That helped me to realize that I was not going crazy.

Jon has been able to call me the past two mornings and that has been a real blessing. Hearing his voice and being able to tell me how I am feeling has gotten my mornings off to a good start. I know we won't be able to do that every day, but this week it has really helped.

I am also staying busy during the day, so that helps. In the evenings I've been watching the Olympics.

Well, that's my news for now. Thanks for your prayers.

Sheryl