April already?!?!

Wow!! It’s the middle of April and I am left wondering when did the first months of 2010 disappear? Sometimes, life flies by quickly and there isn’t time to really see and visit and love all the people that God graciously put into my life.

My youngest is in Sweden. He left at the end of March. Man, the kid drives me insane since he’s a typical seventeen-year-old; however, I have missed him terribly. I was so glad that we were able to allow him to go on this trip and that God blessed us with the funds. He is creating memories that will be cherished for years to come. The flight over was great except for a rather LONG layover but a small glitch might prevent his return home as scheduled. Iceland had a volcano erupt and its ash has spread over Europe closing several airports. It’s not a good idea to fly a jet through volcanic ash since the ash stalls out the engines. So, we are now hoping and praying that his flight on Sunday isn’t canceled. If it gets canceled, he will not be able to get a flight out of Sweden until next Saturday.

I spoke this past week-end at a Woman’s retreat at Camp Pinnacle in north Georgia. I believe that my talk blessed some ladies. Several asked that I get them a copy of my piece called The Candle. And, another lady has asked if I was willing to come speak at her church in south Georgia. I never thought that our tragedy could be used to glorify God but I was wrong. People need to see and realize that God is the sustainer of our lives and hearts during horrible times and that He replaces sorrow with Himself. And, in Christ there is found a renewal of hope and joy.

The focus of my talk (after a brief run down on the kidnapping) was on the church and how she wrapped her arms around us and truly became God’s ambassadors. Two of my favorite and most loved ladies were with me this week-end (Lauri Gray and Lynda Talmadge). God has been so faithful to me and my family.

I am halfway done with my third class in my degree. Systematic Theology is... well, it’s systematic. Actually, I am sort of getting into this class. I enjoy wrestling with implied theological truths – like the doctrine of a triune God. Since I am only taking one class this eight weeks, I am not feeling quite as much pressure.

Mark and I decided that I would take summer off from school. So, while we will not have any money to do anything, we will be able to enjoy each other. And, maybe I need to relax.... (insert HUGE monster eye-roll!!)

Well, I can’t think of anything else to update our lives about.

Blessings,
Debbie