No school

The kids had school off today for a teacher training day. They both got to stay up really late on Thursday night. They thought that was the coolest thing to stay up late. We went to the gym this morning and then went to the movies to see Underdog. It was a great movie. After the movie I took the boys into Game Stop... you would have thought we were in heaven. The boys were so excited to look around that store. After I picked up the little kids we came home and I started making the rest of the cookies for the cookie exchange tomorrow. Lanie helped me put all of the ingredients together for the cookies. While baking those cookies a couple from the military brought us 2 meals for the weekend. We had an awesome well rounded meal. Everyone from the church and the military are continuing to be such a help for us. Every little gesture is appreciated so much.

My friend Shannon sent me this devotion that she received form her husband's cousin and boy was it so fitting for all of us no matter what we are going through........


Evidence of Hope
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.2 Corinthians 4:17

Recommended Reading2 Corinthians 4:7-18
If you have ever had to practice football twice a day in 100 degree heat, endure nine weeks of military basic training, or live with nausea for six weeks of chemotherapy, you were likely told, "Hang in there. You can do anything for a short period of time." The difference between "temporary" and "permanent" can seem like the difference between life and death.
The apostle Paul knew the difference between the two. There were many occasions in his Christian life where he felt terrible, but he never lost heart (2 Corinthians 4:16). In fact, his favorite phrase was "but not": Hard-pressed, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (verses 8-9). Paul knew that every difficulty was temporary. Even if it lasted his whole life, he still saw it as temporary compared to the hope of eternity. If he ever lost hope, it was only for the moment. His permanent perspective was eternal hope in the goodness and purpose of God.
Have you learned to separate the temporary from the permanent in your life? That distinction is evidence that hope is alive and well.
The future is as bright as the promises of God.

The Lord knows exactly what we need when we need it. I really needed this to lift me up. Thanks for all of the encouragement.