Carrie's senior prom

Carrie attended prom last weekend with lunch buddy, Chase. In fact, the group she went with was primarily her lunch table plus dates.  I'm not a huge fan of proms and all the trimmings, but for Carrie it was about being with her friends, dressing up, and having fun. Based on that criteria it was a success.

Carrie and Chase

Her dress is another story.  She looked at a few stores in the area, but the prices were too high.  So, she looked online.  She found the dress she wanted, but I encouraged her to keep looking.  I even sent her to the new Goodwill store in town!! At the beginning of April, I finally conceded and she ordered the dress, which was less than $100.  After she placed the order I asked her where it was being shipped from....she didn't know!! Long story short, it was coming from overseas...China to be exact. I was certain it wouldn't arrive in time for prom.  I emailed them & even tried calling them.  I got an email response, that said "can you wait few more days?"  I thought we were sunk!  We couldn't get our money back, and to get it by April 21 seemed impossible.

Giving of the croissants, as Carrie calls it! 

Senior girlfriends!

As a backup, Carrie borrowed a dress from Emily, our travelling neighbor.  Emily is off at college, but her mom found a dress that Carrie could wear. On Monday before the prom, the dress arrived! WOW! We had to have it altered because it was too long - but other than that it fit perfectly! Kat from church is our amazing seamstress, and had it ready for the big day.  Lesson learned: always know the location of the company that you are ordering from, and the ship time.

Carrie did her own hair, and she looked stunning.  I took a few pictures at home, but Alyssa was the official family representative and photographer! By the way, the location of the photo shoot is not the popular Berry College, but Zion Farms, which belongs to Chases' family.

Winshape College Program - another 4 years!

Alyssa joined Winshape College program in the fall of 2008.  In the fall of 2012, Carrie will continue in the "cult" as she was recently accepted into the program. We are still unsure how the financial portion of a private education will work for daughter number 2, but God is faithful!!

The Winshape (shaping winners is the original concept) scholarship is a part of the answer, but it provides so much more than money.  Winshape College provides leadership opportunities, community, and encourages spiritual growth. I am grateful for the influence and guidance of those at the helm of the program. Our whole family is excited about Carrie being a part of this premier organization.

Waiting

Most people don't like to wait.  We hate waiting for the light to turn green. We don't like to wait in line at the grocery store or the drive-thru. We don't like to be kept waiting at the doctor's office. Waiting for special holidays (Christmas, birthdays, graduations) is hard.  I don't really know anyone who enjoys waiting.  By nature, we are impatient people.

I am waiting now ....for an answer (see blog from 3/22 about a meeting..where I had to wait to be seen).
I get discouraged as I wait.  I doubt as I wait. Today I began to wonder what God was teaching me as I wait. There are many verses that address waiting.  Here are a few that have encouraged me in the past, and especially today.

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:31
Grant me patience as I wait, and that I would cry to my Father, and not complain to others.

My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. Psalm 62:1
I should seek God more than I seek an answer.

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31
I long to be like the eagle and soar above my doubts and discouragement.

But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Romans 8:25
Praise God, He is sovereign.  May I persevere through this time of waiting, and know that He will meet all my needs according to His riches (wow, that's a lot - cause He owns it all!).

What or who are you waiting for? What do you do while you wait?