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.

Pray for Brandon

Pray for Brandon

This blog started as a way to share our National Park trips with friends and family. These trips are taken with the Williams family. They are more than travel buddies, they are our neighbors, friends, Berry alums, and educators. Their children have spent many hours with our kids.  We share holidays together, dinner, dessert, a hike or bike ride at Berry. 

Waiting for  the bus in Boston

Brandon is 16 years old, and has endured years of  medical procedures. I call him a human pin cushion.  Without going through his whole medical history, the last 18 months have been especially trying for his family as he has dealt with intestinal issues.  Next week he will go to Scottish Rite to have a colectomy with an ileoanal j pouch.  Basically he will have a his large intestine removed, and have a temporary, which the j pouch will replace once that part of the surgery heals. The surgery will take place on Wednesday February 1. Please pray for Brandon, his doctors, nurses and his parents, Stephen & Beth.  

Brandon loves to play video games, and Aaron is always happy to  join him.  This is Brandon at age 10.

Brandon with the weasel the kids found in a house  in New Hampshire during our New England trip.  There is a story here, and no one tells a story quite like Brandon!

Beth, Brandon, Emily & Stephen in Boston

Brandon & Mom on the Golden Gate bridge

Brandon has a loving, supportive family, friends and church family.  He has a terrific outlook on the situation, but he would rather be fishing, kayaking, or watching NASCAR!  I look forward to Brandon getting to resume the activities he loves!

Colorado is calling Nobles/Williams travel crew in May, and we need Brandon ready to skip some rocks!

Alyssa's Exciting News!

 Alyssa will graduate from Berry College on May 5 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.  She is currently student teaching in 3rd grade at Elm Street Elementary.  Getting a teaching job in this economy is not easy, and Alyssa knows that.  She learned about Teach for America through the career center at Berry, and decided to pursue that program.

It's a long process, but the short story is she was accepted into the program! She found out today that she will begin her two year commitment to teach in the Mississippi Delta area.  Teach for America places teachers in poverty areas of the country.  They want them to impact the community and the school where they serve.  They give them training before they begin, they provide transitional funding and there is also money for a master's degree.

It will not be an easy assignment, but I know Alyssa will be ready.  She'll need our encouragement and our prayers.  We are so proud of her, and know God will use her mightily in this new environment.