All things new...

  There is an excitement, that is in me, as I write this post. With the daycare just a few more weeks away from being finished and opening, and school starting just around the corner, several new things are happening for our family this fall. A new season is soon to be upon us. Not just the temperatures and colors outside, but a lot about life as we have known it for the last several years will be changing.

  With the daycare opening I am stepping into a new job. 
  Elijah is starting kindergarten.
  Shaylin is starting a new school.
  Chris.... well he is having to step up into some new responsibilities as a husband/daddy.
  And all of us are stepping into a new routine.

  All of these things sound and are very simple, but for us they are big steps. I mean its not that Chris hasn't been a good husband/daddy until now... I have just always willingly done EVERYTHING when it came to our kids. Getting them dressed to go places, cooking them breakfast, and taking them to school everyday are just a few things I will be letting go of on a daily basis. And its not like I haven't been working until now... just for the last decade its been within the comforts of our home. And its not like my kids haven't ever been in a school setting... but both are going to new places and unfamiliar territories this year. And let me just say that I am thankful for God's grace that is allowing all of us to approach these new things with smiles on our faces. 

  But aside from all of this... what excites me the most is the new visions/goals that have been dropped on the inside of me concerning my home and my family. God has given me a fresh perspective and attitude concerning things that go on here... in these four walls. The things that once created burnout, I am now finding a new joy in. The things that I once dreaded, I am seeing through new eyes and looking forward to.
  Don't get me wrong, I have loved every minute of my life, and if I had it to do all over again I can't say that I would change much. But there is definitely an overwhelming readiness to step into the NEW phase that God has for me... for us.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

Update

Ok, I am just giving an update on my dad's hand....

BUT its a GOOD REPORT!  So far everything is looking great. (But I didn't expect anything less) He is using it and moving it just fine, and as far as I know he has just as much flexibility in it as in the other hand. It's still very tender, but that is with any "ouchie"! We are still praying for the numbness to decrease and no pain at all. Honestly, he said he hasn't had much pain anyway, which is awesome! Everything is healing well, and we are standing that it is HEALED PERFECTLY in Jesus name! God is so GOOD and so FAITHFUL! :)

Working hard to get there...

Yes, that is correct. We have been working sooo hard to get the daycare close to open. Paint is going up on the walls, we are still deciding on flooring, but the visions and plans are being put together and I am very excited about them.

A minor (ok somewhat major) setback, but I believe it's going to be an awesome testimony. Dad was working on some ducts for the air, and a piece of sheet metal fell and cut his hand pretty deep. They spent a while last night in the ER and left with the doctor telling them that he would have to have surgery because he had cut one of the major tendons and it had retracted back into his arm. (It was either the one that opens or the one that closes his hand.) HOWEVER, he went today to a consult with a surgeon and left their with the doctor telling him that surgery MAY NOT have to happen. The surgeon told dad that since he could move his thumb maybe it didn't cut the tendon completely in half. Well, I believe the difference in last night and this afternoon is simply SUPERNATURAL!!  We prayed and agreed for complete healing and restoration to all of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, veins, cells, and nerves. You name it and it was covered by prayer and covered with the blood last night!! I simply believe that "the word is working on our behalf to affect a healing and a cure!!" God always watches over His word to make sure it comes to pass (Jeremiah 1:12), and He wouldn't have died for our healing if we couldn't believe it and receive it!! So, if you are reading this... Dad goes back in 2 weeks for a final decision/check up to decide if it will be fine and heal on its own, or if he will have to have surgery. Agree with us that what has already been started will be finished, supernaturally. (No long term effects because what God takes care of, He completes with perfection. We do not serve a half way God!!)  God is bigger!! He can and we know He WILL!!

Other than that, we are just counting down the days until school is out, and working every chance we get at the center. I can't wait to have a post that says we are finished will all kinds of pics to share!!  :)

Thankful for the cross!

I can not begin to tell you the emotions that came as I was watching this video. So overwhelmed by His love for me and so thankful for the sacrifice He made, just for me. . . and you. God loves me so much that He sent His son to die for me, and Jesus loves me so much that He gave it all, just for me. Amazing love!

Ready Set Grow (update)

Well, things are still chugging right along down at the daycare. We are waiting at this point for the roof to be fixed in the infant room and then sheet rock will go up. Woo Hoo!! Meme has been diligently working on stripping the floor in the Pre K room, and Dad and Onye are just about finished with the plumbing. AND FINALLY, insulation is finished! YAY!
I am so thankful that the weather has cooperated with us to be able to open windows and air things out. Not to mention its helping keep the energy bills down! 

There is still MUCH to do, but everyday we get a little closer! I am so ready to be in and going!! I think we all are. But I have to remind myself that "Patience is a Virtue".

Coincidence?? I think not.

   The coolest thing happened to me yesterday. Well actually it was weird then, but looking back it was awesome! Let me tell you my story.

   About two o'clock yesterday I got the idea to text a friend to see what she had been up to. Apparently, I had forgotten that my friend changed her phone number. However, God remembered. So my conversation started off like this. . .

Me: Hey _____, how are you?
Other Party: Uh, who is this?
Me: It's Dana, who is this?

Up until this point I am thinking that my friend knows who I am, but is messing with me because I haven't talked with her in a while. Wow, I was so clueless.

Other Party: My name is Carla.
Me: Hi Carla, I am sorry. I must have the wrong number. My friend used to have this number and I am guessing  she got a new one. Sorry if I bothered you.
Carla: It's no problem. I will talk to you if you want me too.

At this time, I'm still a little skeptical about what is going on, but I figure I will roll with it and see what happens.

Me: Ok sure, what do you want to talk about?
Carla: Don't know, what about you? What do you want to talk about?

I tried to start off basic with questions like where do you live and do you have any children? She answered my questions and then asked some like did I have and kids and how old I was. Not sure what it was, well yes I do know who it was that made me ask the next question. But I am so glad that I did.

Me: Do you go to Church anywhere?
Carla: Yes, a church in __________, Oklahoma.
Me: That's great.
Carla: Do you go to church? and if so, where?
Me: Yes I do. I go to a church here in town called Beyond Church. You can check it out online at            Beyondchurch.org. 
Carla: I will do that. Sounds neat.
Me: We really like it.
Carla: What religion is this church?

Ok. This question my new friend asked me kind of caught me off guard. I was thinking, how do I explain my church without someone automatically forming an unjust opinion. (Kinda funny looking back, cause at this point I didn't know what she believed. Or what "religion" she was.) So I begin to tell her about our church and our awesome pastors, all the while explaining to her that we considered ourselves more of a "word church" because we are taught more of the Bible than actual religion. (It was a very in depth conversation with her asking very personal questions, and me giving personal answers back.) Come to find out, she attended a church very similar to ours.

Carla: I go to a nondenominational church also.

Those words were just an adrenaline rush to my spirit. The conversation was on. Not only was I able to be led into witnessing to her over a text, but I was used to invite her to our church. I know you can't tell a person's emotions over a text message. But I am believing that she left our conversation just as pumped and stirred as I was. My new friend Carla has told me that she really wants to come visit our church sometime. I am going to hold her to that.

I am so glad that Carla was on the other end of my text yesterday. And even more so that I obeyed!!
Thank you Lord for using me!

*I didn't share all of the content of our conversation to protect Carla's privacy.

I am healed!

  This week has been a challenge for our family. All of us have been "under the weather" to some degree. However, in the midst of junk, I am so thankful for the Lord's faithfulness. Even when I didn't feel like singing, the Lord placed a song in my heart. All week , and still now, I can't help but hum or sing it.

I am the God that healeth thee
I am the Lord your Healer
I sent My Word
and I healed your disease
I am the Lord your Healer

You are the God
That healeth me
You are the Lord my Healer
You sent Your Word
and You healed my disease
You are the Lord my Healer

                               

                             Artist - Don Moen 

  I love the lyrics "I sent My Word and I healed your disease". It doesn't say that He will heal, no it says I HEALED. That means He HAS HEALED  me already. I am so glad that God loves me enough that He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross. Not only that I would be saved, but that I am healed and can live a life of health. Hallelujah!!

Has it really been that long??

   I can't believe it has actually been over a month since I have posted anything. I am going to use the excuse that I am crazy busy, and that's not just an excuse. It's really, honestly the truth! We are in complete renovation mode at the daycare. Have been since the beginning of December. We are finally seeing things that resemble walls going up, and its making a big difference. I can SEE it now. Every door, every space defined! It is SO exciting.
   Dad and Onye have been working on the plumbing and electric, and over the past weekend had a special helper. Elijah has found a new area of expertise! He went under the house to help Poppy pull the old pipes out to get ready for the new!! He absolutely loved it, and Dad said that Eli was way faster at it that he would have been. Ahhh, Making memories ;)
   I was reading my last post and wanted to mention that we decided to change the name. Instead of Kids & Co. we are now calling it Ready, Set, Grow. We finally have a logo to go with our name as well. IT'S AWESOME!! I know its been a lot of hard work, but it will be fantastic to see it completed. Things are coming together, and all in God's timing. (He has every little detail already planned out, you know!)

  Another thing that has kept us going strong over the past few weeks is basketball. Shaylin is playing again this year and she is loving it. She is much better this year as well. There is only one word to describe her progress. . . AGGRESSIVE!! She has definitely become more aggressive on the court. Stealing the ball, rebounding offensively and defensively, and shooting when she has the chance. (Not to mention she is making a lot of her shots!) I was even approached, by one of the coaches, this past weekend to discuss a traveling team. Not sure how I feel about that yet, but I'm glad she is having fun for now at least!! 

   Other than that. . . both kids are doing excellent in school and Chris and I couldn't be happier with them!