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?

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Yes, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and no, it's not a train! It's graduation for Aaron!!!!!

Aaron has taken the long and winding road to higher education.  He spent 4 years at Georgia College in Milledgeville, but no degree.  Being away for four years was good in some ways, and definitely a learning experience for the parents. When your child is away at school, you pray more than ever! You have to trust that your child will make Godly decisions, have Godly friends, and that he will pursue excellence in his educational choices.  Well, you can't have everything!  Aaron left Milledgeville, and came home to make up lost ground at the community college.

This past fall he enrolled at Kennesaw State University, majoring in geography.  He commutes two days a week, works at Olive Garden and referee's soccer.  The question is always, "when do you think you will graduate?"  His response has always been nebulous, but maybe in one or two more semesters.  Any time I asked him, he would say he had 20 - 30 more hours to take. Well, he met with his advisor today and he texted "I will graduate next semester".  He has 12 hours after this semester, and should graduate in December 2012.  Hallelujah!!!!

Stay tuned for the answer to the next question - what will he do once he graduates?  For now, we are rejoicing over the news that graduation is in sight!!!!

Meeting tomorrow - prayers appreciated

I have an important meeting at Berry on March 23 at 2 p.m.  I would appreciate your prayers.

This meeting is for me to gain support for all I do at/for Berry.  I have been an adjunct for 26 years.  An adjunct is a part-time lecturer. For twenty six years I have given tirelessly to the students at Berry.  I love what I do, and I believe I do it well. The music department is where I have given of my talents, and time, yet I'm still considered part-time.  Students always find it ironic, because they see the amount of work that I do, and all the time I spend to helping them become better musicians.

Don't get me wrong, I may not have the benefits that a full time position gives, but I do have benefits.  My family has benefitted from college students in our home. The students teach me about living out my faith through their example. The students teach me about depending on God. The students teach me to have fun and laugh!  The students encourage my kids to follow Christ.  The students love my kids, and set strong Christian examples for them. Berry students are the best, and they are who I really work for!

I've been down this road before, and been denied.  Please pray that those that I meet with on Friday at 2 p.m. will listen to my heart. That they will understand that I only do what is best for the students and the college.  All I'm asking is that this verse be true:  "Give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap.  For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Luke 6:38

Flights are booked!

Carrie's senior trip to Colorado starts on May 23, and as of tonight we have our flights! We still have some lodging to book, but things are coming together.  It's 84 days until the trip, and we usually have everything in order by now.  This year we have had to be patient because of Brandon's surgery. He is doing pretty well, and may have a second surgery in late March to re-configure his small intestine. We know Brandon probably won't be blazing the trail ahead of the group, but we are happy he & his family are going!!!

There are numerous events taking place between now and May 23. Lots of recitals for me to play - which involves many hours of practice and rehearsals.  Two graduations, and numerous "lasts" for Carrie and Alyssa. Our trip Colorado will be exciting, but at this point I want to savor these days as the girls' become the women God wants them to be, in the places He has for them!

Update on Brandon

Thanks for praying for our friend Brandon.  After 12 days at Scottish Rite in Atlanta, he was released today, and is at home by the fire!  Brandon had his large intestine removed on February 1, and will face another surgery in the summer. The second surgery will close the ileostomy and reconnect the small intestine.  As Brandon said today, he's made it through the toughest one. The 2nd surgery requires far less time to recuperate.

Brandon will have school instruction at home for about 6 weeks, several follow up visits to Atlanta, and hopefully be cleared to return to school by April.  His family is very grateful for the prayers, and the love shown by many friends.  When they returned home today they found dinner waiting. They went to get their dog from the kennel, and were delighted that Jingles had been bathed & the boarding fees paid! What a blessing!

Continue to pray for the Williams family as they take care of Brandon's physical needs without the aide of the wonderful staff at Scottish Rite! Once he has recovered, I'm sure he'll be anxious to get outside, so hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures of Brandon fishing later in the spring.