Shabbat Shalom-Update!

Ecclesiasties 4:8-12  Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.  If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  Also, if the two lie down together, they will keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

I had no idea when we read those verses in our Bible time yesterday morning that I'd be clinging to each and every word all day long and calling on the Body of our precious Messiah to sustain us in prayer. 

We often have family therapy over the phone with Adam these days with him now so far away from us.  Yesterday, with Lyndsay a part of the therapy as well, our son made it clear to us that mental health and reunification is not something he intends to attain or reach for.  I can't say more than that because I'm not completely sure where things stand legally for him. 

Sex offenders have to take responsibility for their own actions, cycles, triggers as well as the damage caused to the people that love them.  There is an 85% success rate for teens who are sex offenders.  We had, in recent couple of months, seen a ray of hope that Adam would be one of them.  After yesterday, however, it's clear that he just may not be. 

John and I had been asking the I AM to guide, lead, direct, shine light on the path of the way we are to go.  He's answered pretty clearly.  The decisions we have to make now will continue to have life long implications, but I believe we can make them now.  As I look back on yesterday and how very hard it was I find that there are many ways in which cords surrounded and held me together specifically.

1.  We were together, as a family, doing our normal homeschool thing!  Normal living of life can be hard during sorrows.  But our routine and just being together was strengthening.

2.  John took control:  We are going out to dinner.  Let's get you out of the house and be a family.  I caved to spending the money, followed my leader and went.  The kids laughed, talked and we all ate too much.  We wrapped our arms around eachother and got through the evening.

3.  I asked for prayer from some friends and immediatly began to feel the affects.  I didn't cave, even if the day was so hard.  I wanted to crawl into bed and hide in my pain, but prayer wrapped around me and I didn't break.

4.  8 and 9 year old boys and sugar cookies!  As planned, they came for cookie baking yesterday afternoon.  What a great memory for Jman and a great distraction for me and Lyndsay.  Movies, sugar cookies, and a quick game of manhunt in the dark....gotta love it.

5.  We had dinner in the crockpot for last night that is now all yummy and ready in the fridge for today.  I can take the kids into DC today and not worry about our Sabbath dinner. 

6.  As we were trained at the Mom Heart Intensive, when you put yourself out there in ministry, you are a target for the Enemy!  Mom Heart Bible Study is growing here at the house on Tuesday evenings!  I am so thrilled by it!!!  Also, I'm preparing my small devotional for the Raleigh, NC conference in March!  Wouldn't Satan just love to tear this all apart?!  Again, I wrap my arms and prayers around all the other Moms in my life and their current heart struggles and VICTORIES.  They strengthen me. 

So, see, the I AM is in this pit, sustaining, guiding, providing and loving us.  As the sun sets this evening and we move into a time of Sabbath Rest take a minute and thank Him for the ways He's allowed others to sustain, guide and strengthen YOU.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus!