Archive for August, 2009
Noteworthy Links: Tech Support Edition
I have my very own tech support person. There’s only one problem lately. He’s miles away and instead of fixing my computer on his time off, he’s chasing cows and eating potatoes. (Yes, he’s definitely in Idaho.)
My monitor flickers to life, taunts me, and then shuts down. I gunked up Dylan’s computer as much as I dare with all my Firefox add-ons, but I can’t download anything or use my printer. Therefore, a couple of these resources I haven’t been able to peruse, but they sound great. (You’ll let me know either way, right?)
Add a mission focus to your lessons with this free curriculum:
Make writing an adventure with this free series:
Practice penmanship with this proven method of handwriting:
Enjoy a local museum on September 26 courtesy of:
Also, this week I questioned homeschool and reviewed Beatiful Feet’s Early American History.
Resolution
Tomorrow morning Dylan starts a new job. I thought our separation would be a month long. The month is over. I wrote pleading with him to come home and help. And then the answer came.
I’m relieved. I’m tired.
When Dylan left for Idaho, he didn’t realize how much work there was to do. I didn’t either. The things we ignored scrawled across five pages. With the help of friends, five pages have whittled away to one double-spaced sheet, but before the check marks are finished a new list begins: packing.
Our tentative moving date is Labor Day weekend, three weeks away. Three weeks to paint and hammer. Three weeks to pack. Three weeks until I embrace my beloved. Three weeks to say good-bye…
The merging of endings and beginnings is uncomfortable. Sometimes I can’t wait to start the next chapter. These pages are heavy though. Trying to shut them strains my determination and my persistence. I want to just sit here with words spread around and peruse the reminders of all that has happened and all that we have imagined.
The climax of our decade in Texas has already been written though. I’m living in the dénouement, the resolution. May I finish strong with arms lifted toward Heaven praising God for all he has done.
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I hesitated to publish my last post, but your prayers encouraged me and your stories touched me. Thank you.
The Light in the Shadows
My stomach gnaws on worry. My mind races trying to beat the fears down with truth. I know we aren’t supposed to be anxious. I shared Proverbs 16:9 with a friend just last night:
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
So why does it seem harder to trust God to direct someone else’s steps?
It’s been a long two years. My husband lost his job in 2007. Everything he’s done since then has been fits and starts. Temporary work, part-time jobs, continuing education classes. We thought provision had finally come.
On our trip to Idaho, he heard about a job driving from Southern Idaho to Seattle once a week. He applied. He was told to keep in touch. Then confirmation came, “When can you start?” Two weeks later, Dylan left.
He’s been training. But were words misunderstood or enthusiasm misread? Whatever the reason, the door slammed shut.
Now we grope along the wall looking for another opening. I long to escape this dim gray fog. I want to see where these steps will take us. The path behind this door seemed so perfect. So comfortable. I could paint and pack knowing the bills would be paid.
Plodding past hope still swinging on hinges, I try not to look back. I must trust God to lead my beloved.
There is light in the eyes of Providence. He beckons us to continue walking, searching. He will open a door we don’t even know exists yet. He will expose the beauty in the darkness. He will reveal the other side of the glass.
Until then, the mist reminds me to look to the one who radiates the full spectrum and scatters my path with glimmers of the rainbow.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
