Bringing back my Baby...

Blake and I started counseling about 3 weeks ago and I guess I would say things are improving. I do not know if I would give counseling the credit or just constant prayer, it is probably a little of both! I think since we decided to go to counseling Blake realizes that we are not giving up on him and that we are willing to go to whatever lengths to reach him. He has turned to the Word to help him through this time. There is nowhere else I would rather see him turn! He finished Revelations and has a laundry list of discussion questions that we talk about daily. I also started bible study with the boys before school and I can see Blake's thirst for the Truth! There is NEVER a time when he gets an attitude or becomes frustrated when I say, "Let's stop for a minute and see what the Bible says about this!" He absolutely knows and understands things that are so complex to most people, now he is dealing with how to apply these principals in his life. I know that God has GREAT things planned for Blake and I am thankful that though He is allowing us to go through this struggle, He has not abandoned us. We will keep praying for Blake to learn self control, and respect, and for God to continue to show His love and grace. Thanks for your prayers!

God is not through with me yet! ...

I cannot believe it has been 4 weeks since my last post! So many things have been written about in my head..., yet never made it to the screen and now is long forgotten. Holden threw my computer off the bed, fatally injuring my power cord, thus the hiatus from Four Brown Boys. Alot has happened in 4 weeks.

Missions Conference
We were blessed enough to attend a weekend long Missions Conference at our church. WOW! What amazing people we met! There were people who are serving the Lord all over the world at the conference! Remote areas of Tibet, Thailand, Morocco, the US... ALL OVER! Through listening to all of their stories, the one thing that struck Russ and I the deepest... WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR OUR SAVIOUR? How are we sharing the most precious gift of all? These missionaries are sacrificing so much for His Glory, what are we sacrificing?

I realize that the mission field does not exist solely in other countries... it is right in our own backyard. However, one of the speakers did make the mention that as Americans, we have churches on every corner. It does not seem right to give people the chance to hear the gospel over and over and continue to reject it, when there are people in this world who are waiting to hear it for the first time. They are waiting for the message of Hope to be brought to them. Most Americans live in a shadow of a cross, yet drive right by and reject the message.

I must admit, we were both ready to sell everything we own and go to the mission field immediately after that precious experience. Who knows... we do know that God is not finished with us and we are ready and willing to be used by Him.