A Time of Renewal

If you've read any of my recent posts you know that this summer was a rough one for our family.  It wasn't all about Oksana, although that was definitely the largest part.  It was attack, after attack, after attack in many areas of our lives.  We were definitely in a time of trial and testing.  The refining process is always a painful one.  I wish I could say I came out with a shiny new view on life, a shiny new appreciation of suffering, or a shiny new passion for Jesus, but really I just struggled.  My BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) study last week said "He will use even the evil that comes into your life for your good and His glory".  Deep in my heart of hearts I believe that, but right now I'm just having a really hard time seeing how good can come from this.  But I digress....that's a story for another day!

This past week has been a time of much needed renewal for me.  We've had a much needed reprieve from trials.  In this past week:

- Anya has done great in school.  She was kicking kids for awhile (aka boundary testing) but even that has stopped.  She is thriving and growing. 

-Oksana is doing much better.  She is very stable at home and we are having almost zero behavior issues.  At school her significant behaviors are coming much less frequently and even those are much less intense than they were.  I definitely feel like I have my kid back now.

-Clayton and Evan started their homeschool program where they go to school 2 days a week and are home 3 days a week.  On their home days we are doing assignments given to us by the school that correspond with what they learned in their classes.  It was a rough start because it is very intense but we are getting in the grove now and they are both doing fantastic in this setting.

-I am getting 2 days a week to myself.  My girls have a few of those days off of school this month so they are going to be few and far between but I'm going to enjoy every single one of them!

-We made a big decision.  At this time we are not going to foster or adopt and I honestly don't think we ever will. We went in to this before the bipolar and before the summer from hell.  I read in a book about bipolar disorder that "stable" is a relative term.  That can be hours, days, months, or years depending on many factors.  Oksana is stable right now.  That doesn't mean she always will be.  We feel strongly that what resources we have left in us need to go to nurturing ourselves as parents and nurturing the 4 kids God has blessed us with.  If God ever changes that I'll be sure to let you know, but don't hold your breath ;)!

-My husband is starting a new job next month.  This is the biggest blessing you can ever imagine.  He is currently working 3 jobs.   The main job, the one that is his least favorite, is the one that pays our bills and carries our insurance.  The other 2 jobs are smaller part time jobs that he loves and is passionate about.  They are also both ministry positions of some sort.  BOTH of those part time jobs offered him full time positions on the same day!  We were in total and complete shock.  After much prayer and agonizing we chose the job that we feel is best for our family, and he will still keep the other one part time.  2 jobs instead of 3, and both of them being his passion, makes me a happy, happy mama!  For those of you reading this who are local, Larry is going on staff with Calvary.

-The job that he is leaving is at a business owned by his parents.  When he started the job we sold one of our cars and he stared driving a company car.  We knew that if he got a new job we would need a car.  After some research, my husband decided to ask his parents if they would be willing to sell us the company car.  It gets great gas mileage and is big enough to store his gear when he plays guitar at church.  He approached his dad and was told that they decided to gift it to us....gift it...as in GIVE, as in free, as in we don't have to buy a car.  A HUGE, HUGE BLESSING TO US!

Do you hear my sigh of relief from over there at your computer?!