Thank you

Our daughter Hayley, came home to us on Sunday night. I am so thankful to God for protecting her and bringing her home safely. We are working on re-establishing boundaries. We enrolled her in another high school today for students who are at risk of dropping out. She may be able to graduate as early as August. The school also has a lot of resources available to students regarding college or other post graduation training that I hope she takes advantage of.

I know no one ever said being a parent would be easy. I will say I am simply exhausted. I am reading a book called "Moments for Families with Prodigals". (Thank you for the recommendation, Nan) It is a devotional that is filled with so much encouragement and hope. One of the first things I read that hit me right in the heart said "Stop mourning the child you thought you had (or thought they should be) and start loving the child you have." I don't have the book in front of me so I may not have the quote exactly correct. I immediately felt convicted. I am committing myself to loving Hayley right where she is at and continuing to pray specifically for her heart to soften and that she renews her relationship with Jesus.

I told her that she had an amazing group of prayer warriors praying for her safe return home. I know she doesn't appreciate that now, but hopefully someday she will realize just how mighty our God truly is and acknowledge the power of prayer. You have my deepest thanks for your prayers and encouraging words.

God bless you!

My thoughts on forgiveness

As special as the gift of forgiveness is to me as a follower of Jesus Christ, it took me several years to really "get it" and learn to forgive others as well as myself. At some point in my faith walk I began waking up each morning and sincerely thank God for loving and forgiving me for my sinful behavior the day before. I am sorry to say it was a long while after that when I had my "eureka! moment" and realized if God can give me this awesome gift over and over every day of my sinful life, I must give the same to people I had been hurt by many years ago or just yesterday.

WOW! What a cleansing thing it turned out to be for me to be able to let go of resentments I had carried around like ugly baggage for so many years. Was it an easy journey to learn to forgive? No, it wasn't. It takes lots of prayer and work to learn to forgive and place that load of baggage at the foot of the cross where Jesus shed His blood for me. A question I started asking myself over and over was, "Can I still call myself a Christian and not forgive ________ for ________?" No matter what name or offense I filled the blanks in with, my answer always came up "NO". I eventually got to the point that the question was no longer necessary and forgiveness is becoming a much more natural practice for me. Do I always wake up eager to forgive someone who hurt me the day before? No, I don't. But after I deal with my stubbornness and let go, I feel peace and can go on with my day and not worry about unloading my hurt on an innocent bystander in my life. (I can so relate to the saying "Hurt people, hurt people.") A funny thing about the loving act of forgiveness is that the people we forgive sometimes don't even know they have done something to be forgiven for let alone that they have been forgiven! I have said things like "_____ doesn't deserve my forgiveness." or "I can never forgive _____ for what they did." The truth is that none of us deserve the forgiveness from our Heavenly Father but we are given it anyway. The truth is so simple yet so hard at the same time.

I know I have rambled - I don't have the gift of putting my thoughts into words real well but my heart is as genuine as can be. I am writing this because you may be holding on to a hurt that is eating way at you and coming between you and our loving God. Maybe you have something rattling around in your heart that you haven't forgiven yourself for. My prayer for you is that these words plant a seed in your heart and forgiveness begins growing in you and that you nurture it with prayer and reflection on God's loving act of sending His son to the cross to die for you and me.

Next, I ask for your sincere prayers please:

Tonight, our 17 year old daughter left the house and told Mike & I she has no idea when or if she will be returning. Some of you know what has been going on in our home for the past 3 years or so. It has been a challenge to say the least. Boundaries have been an issue with us. Today she left because of a series of events that had piled up and exploded with a lot of angry and hurtful words being said by all 3 parties involved. I have apologized for my part in the recent incident but she is not ready to forgive. I have to be OK with that and know God has her best interest in mind and is working on softening her heart as I write this. His timing is perfect. I'm praying she remains safe and I have hope that she will return and we will be able to work out our differences and she will come to respect the boundaries we have set.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.”- Deuteronomy 7:9

God bless you brothers and sisters!

Robyn

Celebrate Recovery

A lot of you know Celebrate Recovery is my ministry. It is a Christ centered 12-step program for ANYONE with a hurt, habit or hang up. (I think that covers the entire population) - I really believe there is something in this program for everyone. A common misconception is that it is only for people who are addicted to alcohol, drugs, sex or the "usual" addictions we hear about in secular 12-step programs. For, me it has been an opportunity to deal with past hurts and current unhealthy behaviors. During this process my relationship with Jesus Christ has become much more personal. I am learning to turn control over to God and lean on His promises.

A couple of times a year we have special music nights. Tonight, Greg Coplen came with his band to share his testimony and awesome music all written by him. They were so great and his testimony provided me with the reminder I sometimes need that God is always there. I am the one who hides from Him. All I have to do is reach out and He will take my hand every time I ask him to. But I have to ask! A line in one of his beautiful songs says "God am I, just a step away from going crazy? God are You, just a prayer away from coming to save me? Cause I’m lost, I’m lost." Although I still struggle and have the occasional set back (or relapse in 12-step terms) I am very thankful I am no longer lost. God found me long before I even knew about Him. What an awesome truth!

Come see us on Thursday nights at Concordia or Click here to find a Celebrate Recovery near you. It is a safe place.

New Mini Album & Lunch

Last night I stayed up late making a paper bag mini album for Nicole's pregnancy. I titled it "GREAT EXPECTATIONS". I am pleased with the way it came out & I think she liked it. I tried to get over to give it to her early but Darlene & Jesse were in meetings until noon & I couldn't leave. Poor Nicole was so hungry and wanted to eat. Jesse got a rare and fabulous idea to take Darlene & I to lunch so we suggested Nicole come along. Darlene & I swung around the front and picked Nicole up - she looked so cute with her little belly starting to pooch out I had to take a picture of her.

Here is the album I made with 4 paper lunch bags. I staggered them and cut them to size. There are 3 pockets for pictures and journaling. I set up several spots for pitures.

I made a calendar and circled her due date and titled it. "Coming soon to a hospital near you!"

One of my favorite pages is for her to put a sonogram picture on. The caption says

"There's love in my belly!"

She was so sweet and posed for a photo for me. Isn't she a pretty girl?

Jesse being a total goof ball. He is such a great boss - I am so blessed!

We are proud of our boy Matthew

Our son Matthew has recently moved home. This is a good thing and Mike & I are happy to help him out and know he is coming home with a plan.

Matthew started college in the fall of 2005. His freshman year was a bit of a party but we all know that happens sometimes. He ultimately ended up in San Antonio with a couple of roommates. He has been working full time as well as serving in the Army Reserves on top of attending UTSA full time. He is currently working towards a Criminal Justice degree. Law Enforcement is something Matthew has always had an interest in and it seemed natural for him to pursue.

A funny thing happened along the way. Matthew's full time job was a 911 dispatcher for a company that services Bexar County and other areas that do not have their own 911 systems. He took to it very quickly and always had a story to tell. Some funny but many were very sad. Shortly after he was released to take calls alone. He took a call that I believe changed his life. Just a few seconds into the call Matthew realized he was talking to the brother of a close friend of his that was waiting for a kidney transplant. The brother came home and found him dead in their home. For some reason, God decided Matthew was to take that call. I will never forget his call to me when he told me what happened. A mother never wants to hear that kind of pain in her child's voice. He said he handled the call well and then told his supervisor what had happened. I was very concerned about him after that day but he dusted himself off and went on to work in the dispatch office for several more months. I visited him at work once and he welcomed me to the room that "sucks the life out of you". I personally have no idea how someone can do that job - I would be so bad at it. He soon applied for another job with the company and was transferred to a local hospital to handle ambulance transports from the facility. He has enjoyed the job and they love having him around. While working at the hospital, he has been exposed to many aspects of the health care field and it has sparked a new interest. He put his bachelors degree on hold for a bit and went to school to be an EMT. This semester he is working towards being a Paramedic. We sometimes laugh when we talk about Matthew ending up in the medical field. Never in a million years would I have guessed this. It just shows how mighty God is. He will point us in the direction He wants us to go. I am proud of Matthew for identifying this and moving towards something he enjoys. He is still at the hospital but picks up extra shifts on an ambulance as much as possible and stays very busy.

He sometimes gets a little frustrated because a lot of his friends will be graduating this year but we tell him not to get discouraged and stay focused. While he is at home he hopes to pay off some loans and decide if he wants to continue working towards the Criminal Justice major when he returns to UTSA in the fall.

Keep up the good work, Matthew, we are very proud. We love you and thank God for such a great son!

I had to snap a few pictures as he was heading out last night. Yes, I am proud of him.

Doesn't he look thrilled?

Happy Birthday Bron

It is not very easy making guy cards. Most men don't care for all the embellishments that make scrapbooking and card making fun. No bows, buttons, rhinestones, flowers or pretty colors. I wanted to make a card for Bron with the items I had on hand. This is what I came up with. I think he will like it, it's a manly as a card can get. Have I told you lately that this is fun?

"Working on" sin ....by Andrew Meredith

"Working on" sin

The above is a link to a blog post by Andrew Meredith, a family friend that we have watched grow into a fine young man of God. He gave me permission to share these words with you.

Encouragement Card / Get Well Card

Here are two cards I made today. The first is for a friend who has had a tough time lately. I just wanted her to know she is in my prayers. It looks simple because that is what I am capable of right now. I had awesome visions of doing some embossing on the flap but I broke my tool for doing that. - Bummer... It was my first time using it too. :(

I made my own rub on for the "Just checking in on you". I typed it in word and printed a mirror image on a transparency sheet. As soon as it printed (quickly before it dried) I carefully placed the image on the card and rubbed it gently so the image would transfer on the card. I was kind of impressed! I just wiped the transparency with a paper towel and it can be used again. I will try this trick again soon.

The inside sentiment was just printed in Word with a little trick my friend Cheryl taught me.

I have another friend that has a sick puppy and they are very worried about him. I understand their concern and wanted to make him a little Get Well Soon card. It was fun to make. I used a piece of ribbon for his comforter on the front. I got a little spot of glue on it that of course I am obsessing over. I might put little dog bone over it or let it pass for doggie drool.

Thanks for going along with me in my learning adventure in the land of card making. It's fun! Come over and hang out in my Girl Cave and we can be creative together!