WHENEVER

I just listened to a podcast from Northview Community Church (my parent's home church). Jeff Bucknam spoke on suffering last weekend (April 19th). If you have some time I HIGHLY recommend listening. Good stuff. Exactly what I needed to hear this morning.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

- James 1:2-4

Changes

Our life has taken an unexpected turn, once again. This past week Shaun lost his job...we are feeling many mixed emotions, to put it nicely. Part of us is relieved (there is a lot of hard stuff going on at the church) but we really sincerely love the people of the church and are sad and hurt. It's a long story, not one I can (or want to) say over the blog. I'll probably give more details as time goes on and as we process it...it is just so fresh right now.

Needless to say, we have a lot of changes that are about to happen. We are moving back to Southern California (Valencia, where we lived for a couple of years before moving to Arizona) and we're going to be living with Shaun's parents for awhile while we figure things out. Shaun's going to go back to work at his parent's Montessori school, and I'm going to teach piano there too.

We're going to take a break from ministry until God provides a job for us in Southern California. Working in the church is hard...have you heard that before? Like really hard. Because we expect Christians to act different and not to treat the church like a "business"...but people are flawed. We have put our hearts, time, and emotions into this ministry...and I think that's why it hurts so much.

We need your prayers. Like a lot. Pray for direction for us...for wisdom...for peace...for healing and restoration...for forgiveness towards the people who have hurt us. Pray for strength as we pack up our home and make another BIG move. I feel SO absolutely overwhelmed with the thought of moving again. Seriously I'd rather do many other things then move right now! Although we are very excited to move back to California...I guess that's one great benefit to this situation.

And we are SO very thankful for our family...for being so supportive through this all. And our friends...who have come alongside us and loved on us through this mess.

That's all.

Happy Easter!

Just wanted to write a quick post since I haven't blogged this past week, and next week we're on VACATION (woo hoo!!!)...California, here we come...Palm Springs...Disneyland...eating out...shopping...swimming...sun-tanning...being with family...seeing old friends. Can hardly wait!

But before that...this weekend is crazy for us. We had Good Friday service last night, and then 4 services between tonight and tomorrow morning. Shaun is leading and I am singing on worship team.

With all of it I find myself getting lost in the busy-ness of the music, practice, and making sure that we get it all right. I don't want to forget the reason why we are celebrating Easter...the real meaning...that so long ago, Jesus DIED for my sins...and He rose again, and is ALIVE! I am so thankful for His sacrifice...that if I had been the only person on earth, He still would have died for me.

Thank you, Lord...I am so undeserving.

We're Home

Well...we're home! We came home after close to 24 hours at the hospital. What a relief!!! We were all EXHAUSTED. Landon and I came home and went straight down for naps. When Shaun came to wake me up a couple hours later I literally didn't know what day it was, I was so out of it!!! Landon slept awesome that night...12 hours. And I did too, thanks to Shaun's Mom watching the kiddos for me in the morning. =)

We have been blessed by our church the past few days too...thanks to Sallie for watching Natalie for us on Friday night while we were at the ER. Thanks to Charity for bringing us dinner and snacks at the hospital, and also for coming to keep me company! Thanks to the Chards for the AWESOME Bonefish dinner! And thanks again to Sallie for another great meal Sunday night. Tonight we were again blessed with a delicious dinner from another member of our church. Three nights in a row? Wow. We are overwhelmed. And have lots of great leftovers too!

Some pictures...

Landon is his "cage"...don't you love his huge hospital gown?!?!

Silly boy...he was feeling much better at this point, and quite hyper from the meds!

This is where I slept.

Hi Mommy!

FINALLY asleep after maybe 6 hours of sleep Friday night, and then begin awake from 7:30am until 1:30pm.

This morning we noticed a strange rash on Landon's body so I took pictures to document for his doctor. While I was taking the picture he looked up and said very clearly, "Cheese!" It was SO cute. And his first real word (besides Dada, Mama, and Nana) How cute is that?!?!

Cuddling with Dad at the Dr's today while we waited for the Dr. It's been a long weekend. Really didn't feel much like a weekend!

And last but not least, a super cute video of my feeling better little boy. Thanks SO much for your prayers!!!

Poor Landon...

We could use your prayes right now...I've been at the hospital with Landon since last night at 6pm. We were in the ER until past midnight, when he was admitted. His breathing was awful...his poor lungs were (are) so congested. They had to do multiple breathing treatments on him, xray his lungs (the left one is really swollen), and give him a steroid shot. He did well all night, showing symptoms that he's feeling better, which is great news. We're hoping we can go home today.

It's times like this that we miss not living near family. Yesterday was a L-O=N=G hard day for me and I told Shaun multiple times "I can't do this!" Shaun was busy with rehearsals for Easter weekend, and I was trying to figure out what is best or Landon, all the while trying to keep Natalie entertained and happy. Needless to say I lost it a few times. Thankfully we have great parents...Shaun's Mom is flying out today to be with us to help out, and my Mom (before knowin that Kathy was coming out) was going to try to come help too.

I'll blog more when I can. By the way, I'm in the hospital room on the computer in the room...I know, pretty high tech.

Thanks for your prayers.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Natalie Ryan!

Wow, I can't believe you are already three years old. You have brought such joy to my life, and yet so many challenges. You are full of giggles, sillyness, and stubborn-ness, and I love every part of you.

Sometimes I worry about how I can teach you to be the best you can be...and then I remember that God gave you to me, to US...knowing that we were the perfect fit for you...and that in turn you were the perfect fit for us.

We love you SO much, Monkey, and are so proud to be your parents.

Happy 3rd Birthday!!!