A Master Plan!

" FOR HE IS THE MAKER OF ALL THINGS; AND ISRAEL IS THE TRIBE OF HIS INHERITANCE. THE LORD OF HOSTS IS HIS NAME." " GOD alone knows how to create a Master Plan that provides for the good of all those who serve HIM.
Taken from GOD's little devotional calender.

Please pray for a friend of mine. She is going through some serious trials in her life, and is trying to do what is best for her and her girls, while trying to keep GOD at the forefront (which is really hard to do with the things that are going on in her life) I don't feel comfortable sharing her situation, but if you could just lift her up in prayer- the more people praying for her, the more powerful the prayers! Sometimes it's hard to see what the Master Plan is when we go through trials (in fact, sometimes it's difficult to see why certain things are in the plan at all) but GOD knows the details, and can use situations we go through to strengthen us in the long run; even when we are hurting so bad in the present. Keep your chin up my friend, GOD does care for You!!!

Now, on to other less important things:
1. I was so excited; I've been working on basic sign language with Faith and Samuel. Faith has caught on pretty quickly, saying please in sign for weeks, but Samuel wasn't catching on quite as well. He has, since he has been around 3 months old praying before we eat, so when I do the "eat" sign he knows it's time to hold my hands to pray, but I hadn't seen him physically attempt to sign. The beginning of last week, out of the blue when I asked the babies to say please, he signed PLEASE all by himself. I thought it was a mistake at first, so I told him to say please again and he did it again! I WAS EXCITED!!! It's interesting how easily something important can become trivialized, because when I was speaking with someone, they totally downplayed his achievement, and baby sign language in general basically saying "Oh, they only know basic sign, most kids do." I'm sure it wasn't meant to be negative, however it sort of bothered me a bit because I thought it was a wonderful thing to learn for my children, and a wonderful thing to see Samuel not only grasping the concept but doing it himself!!! I am also working on the signs "more, thank you, water, cup, eat, night-night, all-done, yes, no, and gentle" I don't want to be overwhelming, so I try to not use them simultaneously, and scatter them around, and as the babies grasp them, I'll add more. I truly see the benefit in sign language; not only as a baby but as children and adults. For a couple of years Wayne had a friend whose parents were deaf, and a child in his class who was deaf. He learned many signs while in his class, through the sign interpreter, but as with all things, it can be forgotten if you don't use it. So it has been fun for Samantha and Wayne to practice, and even refresh some things that had been forgotten (and learn new ones too!) You never know when you might run into someone with hearing difficulties, and a little communication can go a LONG way!

Our grill died this season. We went to use it about a month ago, and it was gone. It kept having little things go wrong with it, until it finally went to "grill heaven" so we had to go and get a new one. It was good and bad- we live on grill food in the summer, typically grilling AT LEAST once a week, sometimes even more! Even when the temperatures become cooler we still grill! It is a cadillac compared to our old one, and is SO nice!
It was bad because it seems like lately we can never get ahead financially. If it isn't one thing, it's another and this is really frustrating! I'm hoping that soon we can upswing again and get on top of the game again.

I'm starting to go through Rebecca withdrawal. Last week wasn't too bad because I was really busy, but the weather has been beautiful and I really miss spending time with Rebecca throughout the week. Tomorrow I might be going to Ithaca to the Salvation Army there to look for some more summer clothing for my children who keep growing like weeds! It is just not going to be the same without Rebecca and Corynn (and even Andrew) ! Rebecca- you are missed!

Thursday is my state inspection day. Pray I pass with flying colors! I really would love to get through with no write-ups of any sort; it would feel so nice! I only had a couple mistakes the last time, and they were quite minor, however it would be quite an accomplishment to have her not find anything wrong! She will be checking the physical house/ space and my records/ paperwork. Say a little prayer for me :)

Hope you all have a great week, and enjoy the weather as much as we have been!!! :)