Oh my ... it's time for not only an update, but to also make some major changes over here in Xangatown/ville/land - whichever you prefer! I do think it's time for this 'tea' theme to be shelved for awhile! I'll see what I can come up with ... I've missed working with the themes over here, and I have to laugh at the calender that is still on here ... December of 2010! 
They quit making those calendars, closed down their site, so I'm going to have to find another source! Boy, do I ever need to change things ... I just hope there are still some of my friends here left to see them!
I know it's been so long since I've been anywhere close to being consistent around here! So much has happened since my son, Ian, came home - married! New adjustments aren't always easy, but God knows everything that is going on, and He offers peace in the midst. I do hope you're all doing well ... I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I've missed it over here ... and most of all, missed staying up to date with my 'old blog' friends! It's been almost five years (come September) since I joined Xanga. I met so many sweet friends, and if at all possible, I hope I can keep them! 
I've seen so many come and go now ... it's sad to think about, isn't it. I often wonder how they are, and how God is working in their lives. I'm going to go through my sub list, and see who is still here, and if any of you see this, please drop by and let me know! I'd love to hear how you're doing!
We are all growing here ... ever since we lost O.P. and Mom Betty, things have been different with the family. Seems everyone is busy living life and we don't get together as often as we did back then. I miss that! I started a family Facebook page, and still there aren't many who show up there, either. Well, I'm so blessed to say, that I do finally have my son home again, and now with his wife, we are working at building our own little corner of the 'family'. There have been those adjustments for us all since they came home in February, also getting to know one another, but we have a deep love in our hearts for our new 'daughter', and even with the struggles and things she is needing to overcome, we know she is where God wants her ... we know they are both where He wants them to be! Yes, Praise the Lord, they are finally home!
In my last post, I mentioned that they needed a car ... I want to thank you for your prayers! After many weeks of us driving them where they needed to go, God did finally provide, and it was indeed a miracle! A friend sold Ian a small car, good on gas mileage, for only $1.00! He said someone had done that for them when they first got that car, and he wanted to "pay it forward" and bless someone else! I'm so thankful that it was Ian and Nicole! It needs a little bit of work, but they couldn't be happier to be 'free' to go when they want to, or need to go! Unfortunately, right now though, they are fixing a flat tire and my sweet hubby is there helping them. Along with the other small repairs, they'll need a spare tire now, but we know that God will provide ... He has done so many wonderful things for them since they've been home, but now, things are getting more difficult for them. Circumstances are changing for them here so fast! My heart breaks for them both to see them struggling ......
I had mentioned also in my last post about Ian having an editing job with a local Christian production company. He was just getting ready to edit the movie they are filming over the next couple of months, but now they are unable to pay him because the funds just aren't there, and Ian was told that his boss is going to be doing the editing ... that leaves Ian without a job, but he was working for almost nothing over the past few months there, anyway. He did a lot of good for their company, and there is still a possibility that he'll work there again, that is if the sponsored funding comes in, or a different position comes available with less pay. He has been depressed about it all, but at least he's not completely jobless. He's working with his dad and uncle, putting in hardwood flooring, which he is very thankful for, even though he'd rather be editing. It's something he loves, and I have to say, very good at it, too! And, not only that ... the house they are renting from a friend, just went up for sale, and they weren't even told that this was going to happen! They have a year's lease, but if the house sells, our friend told them it would be up to the new owners as to whether or not they would honor the lease agreement, so please be in prayer that God will provide another home for them! This house was another miracle that God blessed them with when they first moved home ... a friend from church told them they could rent his house that he and his wife were going to live in, but she passed away about 2 weeks before Ian and Nicole came home. He wanted to help them get on their feet here, and the rent would only be $142.00 per month for the first 6 months, then it would go up to $600 per month, which is still very reasonable for what they have, but now, everything has changed for them! We're not sure what happened with our friend ... he has disappeared from church, and we have heard that he is getting married and moving out of state soon, and apparently wanted to get this house sold quick. It would have been better if he had told them about this though, or even talked to us, but what can we say? We just pray for him now, and hoping he will have a change of heart ... otherwise, we're praying the house doesn't sell too fast ... Ian needs to get some money saved before they can even think of moving now ... please say a prayer for this need as well.
I know I'm sharing a lot here ... I guess I needed to let go, and get it off my shoulders ... as a mother we an carry all their burdens ... you want to give your children the world, and make theirs all right, but we can't do that, can we?! We can pray, and that's the best thing we can do! We know God is working in their lives right now, and all these things are happening to them for a reason ... if we jump in and help with every little thing, how can that give God room to work?! I must say we're learning the meaning of 'hands off'! I read a devotional yesterday that really spoke about this very thing and it said .........
Living a life of faith often requires us to leave things alone. If we have completely entrusted something to God, we must keep our hands off it. He can guard it better than we can, and He does not need our help.
"Things in our lives may seem to be going all wrong, but God knows our circumstances better than we do. And He will work at the perfect moment, if we will completely trust Him to work in His own way and in His own time. Often there is nothing as godly as inactivity on our part, or nothing as harmful as restless working, for God has promised to work His sovereign will." - A.B. Simpson
In times like these, it truly is a comfort to drop the entanglements and perplexities of life into God's hands and leave them there, isn't it!! He faithfully gives us that peace that we so long for during the storms of life!
Thank you for taking the time to come by and read all of this, and again, I do appreciate those prayers for Ian and Nicole! I hope more of you will drop in to say hi! Let me know you're still out there! I've missed you all! And please, excuse the mess around here ... it's high time that I change some of the old pictures and things I've had on since Ian left! Well, he's home now - and our family just got a little bigger ... we have a daughter! Yes, it's a new season here in our lives, and I hope to be sharing more, along with photos and staying up to date with you all as each day rolls on! I pray you all have a truly blessed weekend! It's good to be back home here, too!
Love & Hugs,
~ Deborah <><
P.S. Thought I would share a picture of our family ... my dear husband, Lewis, me, our sweet Nicole, and our precious son, Ian. This was taken on February 15th at the airport ... the day Ian flew home with our 'daughter'! You can tell that my hubby is very emotional ... he cries so easily, but I love that about him ... I have to say, it certainly was an emotional day, and the tears did flow!
Bless you all!
Hugs,
Hugs,
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