Treasured Gifts of God: Skeeter's Job, Anne's Five Night Stay and Adia's birthday

Wow! We have a few things to update you on! First of all, this week we asked you to pray for a job interview that Skeeter was having in McPherson. Although the interview went well, we won't likely hear the results until next week. There are four other people they are considering for this position as well. Skeeter had applied at this location about a year ago, and was offered a different position. At that time, that position was not what we felt like God was leading us to take. The company kept Skeeter's application and called him again for another position, which is what he interviewed for on Tuesday. Why are we considering another job? Skeeter's current job has been very unsteady lately. Several of the top company leaders at this site have "jumped ship" and is making everyone pretty nervous. They are having mandatory plant wide shut downs, which has limited work to sometimes 2 or 3 days on the weeks they have the shut downs. The shut downs are becoming more frequent to where Skeeter has had to file for unemployment so that the days he doesn't work, he can at least get something. We are praying for clear direction as to whether or not now is the time to leave and if it is time to leave, if this job in McPherson is where he is to go. Thanks for continuing to pray! We will update you once the final decisions have been made.

We were so excited to find out that Anne was going to get to come home and stay for 5 nights! This is the longest she has been home since she left. It was amazing time! We had fun shopping, talking, playing games, getting ready for Adia's birthday party, etc.

How is Anne doing? She continues to do very well in her progression! Each day that passes without self harm is a huge celebration. She is doing pretty well in learning how to use her coping skills. The situation with her roommate has somewhat settled. However, Anne is trying to keep on her good side, so sometimes she gives things up that maybe she shouldn't so she can keep peace. If this continues, I will probably re-visit with the staff to see if there is something else that can be done.

Anne is being given the chance to "study" and debate what she believes and why. Before she left, she struggled like most teens do, with why she believed the way she did. She was trying to find her place and figure out who she is. The church that the house parents attend, do not believe the same way about certain areas that are important to believers. They add in works to being saved. This has been good for Anne to learn how to share what she believes and why. This has also been good as she has learned to speak up and to do so respectfully. Good life skills!! When she was home this past weekend, she was doing some further research on some of the church's teachings. That excites me so very much! I look forward to seeing how God continues to stretch her in her faith!

While Anne was here, we were able to celebrate Adia's birthday. Adia had a party with her classmates and teachers at school, and were given a pillow with her name sewn on it. Adia chose the theme of Charlie Brown so the cupcakes had that theme. Adia then was thrilled to be able to have one of her friends come over for a sleepover. There were a lot of girly giggles heard that night!

Love the teachers and how they love my kiddos!!

While at the school, Anne took the opportunity to walk around and see some of her friends and teachers. That day and the next was emotional for Anne as the next day was the high school banquet. This banquet was the first one Anne was going to be able to attend and had been looking forward to it...and now she couldn't go. That was hard for her to hear about it and then look at the pictures afterwards.

We were able to have Adia's birthday party on Sunday with extended family.

On her actual birthday, Adia was so excited to be able to go and pick out her birthday present. She had been asking for quite awhile for a fish, so we decided to go ahead and give it a try. Here she is with her new baby.....Buster!