Reminded of God's Presence

Sometimes it shocks me that I don't recognize answers to prayer or God's provision. It makes me sad. It use to be that I would immediately recognize something. That tells me something about my walk with God. First, I asked for prayer about my son yesterday. I know that NOONE is reading this yet except for my husband. But... God heard the prayer. He called me last night on the way home from work and was as happy as can be. It was they happiest I have heard him since summer. Wow - what a quick answer to the prayer of my heart. Second, we were driving into town last night because my car had died and we jumped it. I wanted to make sure it was a good charge...plus I wanted to get some work done on the mural and at school. So, Erin, Jacob and I went in. I left Elizabeth and Ri because it was so cold. If we were in an accident or stranded, I didn't want them out in this. On the way into town, a deer appeared in the middle of the road. It didn't move, looked at me and froze. I hit the breaks in hopes to miss it, instead of the deer continuing to run across the road, it turned and ran right into our car! I hit it traveling about 50 miles per hour. It caused me to go into the other lane, but did not cause me to lose control even for a second. That was a true gift. Last time I hit a deer on this road, I struggled keeping control and swerved in and out of the other lane. Last night, just after we hit the deer and I was in the correct lane, a semi passed us. Instead of me recognizing God's hand in that accident, Erin did. Normally I would have been praising God. Not only am I praising Him (now) for his hand of protection, I am praising him that I was driving my car instead of my parents car! We are borrowing their car because Erin needs one until she buys her own. She has been looking hard for one but the weather has slowed the search and Mark and I haven't put the effort into it like we have for the other 2. Hopefully, she is going on Thursday to buy one. Lastly, when I was putting the kids to sleep last night, I planned on reading them a book. The book is "how to train a puppy you can live with". I got it so that we can FINALLY try to train a puppy immediately. Elizabeth and Ri are very good with animals and taking care of them, so I thought this would be a good idea for them. I took the book in the room and set it down to check on Ri (who isn't feeling well). I got up to begin reading and couldn't find the silly book ANYWHERE! I searched the whole room at least 3 times and searched the rest of the house. I couldn't believe it! But instead of praying, I kept searching. Finally, I found it. It was in the room under a sheet. I had been so frustrated that I lost the silly thing when I had JUST had it in my hands. I knew I had. What I didn't know is that during my maddening search, Elizabeth got concerned and prayed. The moment I found the book, she smiled and said "I just prayed you would find it!". I was floored. I hadn't even thought of praying and then I couldn't believe that Elizabeth did! So, in one day I was humbled 3 times by my realization that I am living my life outside of God. On another note, school is cancelled AGAIN. Four days last week were a 2 hour delay and now 3 days this week. I am ready to get back to school! Yesterday, we did do a few things (thanks to the constant reminder from Erin that I need to play). Erin taught the kids the game PIT. They loved it!! They wanted to play it over and over. I imagine we will play it a few times today. :) She also taught them TABOO and then a new version of CHARADES. We had a lot of fun. Jacob has been a pure joy to me lately. He is really maturing and growing up. I love this part of Senior Year. Senior Year was a growing year for the other 3 kids as well. He is still waiting to hear from several schools as to where he will be accepted. It is hard for me to believe that some haven't yet contacted him. He has been accepted into Case Western. It is an amazing school. He received a scholarship of $30000 a year, but the school itself is over $50000. So that will not be somewhere he will be going. His heart was set on the University of Chicago, but he was deferred during early decision. He is convinced that he will not be accepted come spring time. Wheaton is his top choice right now. We may be in for the same type of thing. It isn't a cheap school. But I hope he is accepted and is given a great scholarship. I would love to see him go there. So that is my prayer for now. He has been accepted into Liberty. I wanted him to go there because it is a good christian school and he should receive nearly if not a complete full ride. He applied for me, but honestly has no desire to go there. OSU is next on his list. He applied early decision there, but there was a mix up in whether he needed to pay or not (the collegeboard app said no). Because of that, they are not considering him for early decision. That makes me mad, but it is what it is. After that, he has applied to Kenyon, Dennison, and two other places... but I can not remember where they were... oh.. one is in Texas. I think he applied there because he is assured a full ride if he is a National Merit Scholar. Right now he is a Semi Finalist. A few days ago, he received a letter that he has been selected as a finalist for the US Presidential Scholars Program. Out of nearly 3.2 million high school seniors, there are only approximately 3000 students to receive the invitation to apply. He doesn't want to apply for this, but I think he should. It would be an amazing honor if he were selected as one of the Scholars. Of the 3000, only 141 will receive it. Erin has gone through a rough journey. Much has had to do with Jacob (not our Jacob). After over 5 years of struggling to keep a relationship going long distance, and after several attempts to break it off and try it again... they have officially ended everything. Once again, mama bear has arose. The situation is one I can't describe, out of respect for Jacob. Throughout their off and on relationship, I have struggled. But this time, the off and final. Before, I never thought it was final. I knew that they still loved each other deeply. It hasn't been til now that I am convinced it is done and Erin is not pretending to be tough anymore. He has hurt her for the final time. She has been amazing through it all. I am proud of who she has become. Someone out there is going to be so blessed to find this beautiful woman. And one day, someone else is going to regret their decision. As for her future life. Now that the strings have been cut from this relationship, she has liberty to explore life freely. She has made her decision for life. She officially accepted the position as Assistant Coach at Houghton. In the meantime, she is planning on pursuing a teachers degree to become a science teacher in high school and hopefully a coach as well.