Discouraging News

I created this reminder from the flowers Anne gave me for Mother's Day.  Little did I know just how much I would need to be reminded of this truth! 

I tried not to get my hopes up too high, but it happened even though I fought hard against it.

Yesterday we received a discouraging email from the girls home.  They said that Anne might not be as far along in the healing process as they had thought.  As she deals with some of her hurts, she continues to find more that she needs to deal with.  Because of this, our reintegration process for now has been put on hold.  Life right now is kind of like a roller coaster.   Life can change in the blink of an eye.  When she will come home, we don't know, but as of right now, it is not looking as hopeful that she will be coming home at the end of the summer.

Its hard to put into words all the different emotions, feelings, etc., that we are experiencing. Although we are discouraged we trust that God is in control.  We have to leave the healing process in His time and hands!  We want her healing process to be complete and so we trust He has her best interest in mind. 

She will be visiting on a home pass starting June 20, but will only be staying for a week instead of the two that we had originally planned.  Our family meeting will be June 30.

Thanks for continuing to pray!

Stories

By Anne Snell

April 29, 2016

Everyone has stories.
Some are longer than others.
Some are shorter than others.
But that does not matter.

Some are sadder and full of pain.
Some are happier and full of hope.
Others are shameful and long.
Others are proud and short.

Some are longer.
Some are shorter.
But just because you don't have a long story,
Doesn't mean you haven't lived.

Everyone has a story.
And each one is worth listening to.
Especially yours.
You have a very important story.

If you don't listen to your story,
Then how are you supposed to listen to others?
If you don't take time for your own,
They why take time for others?

But don't think you get to write your story,
Because no matter how much you think you're in control,
You're not the Author of your story.
No matter how much you try.

There is only one Author.
The Author of Life.
The One person who knows you better than you.
The One person who has always been there for you.

The Author knows your story,
But He also knows everyone else's.
Even your enemies.
Especially them.

Without stories,
We would never know anything about anyone else.
We should take time to know our own
And everyone else's you meet.