If you have ever had a time when you knew (through prayer) that God wanted you to take a step into what you see as the "unknown" (in this case, no job/income) and you knew that this is what you needed to do....however, you just did not want to let go of what you were being asked to let go of, well, that explains it. I do have faith and believe that something part-time will come along. Something that is better for our family than my previous position.
I really enjoyed some of the staff there and have become close to a couple of the other teachers, and I LOVE teaching and feel that is my natural gift in life. These were the reasons for me trying to hold onto something that I needed to let go of.
I am excited to see what comes....
Asia left for NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) on the 16th. Last night was her first night sleeping out in the Wind River Mountains. Today, her first day hiking what will become more than seventy miles over the course. She is in a group of twelve other students from all over the world. They have three instructors. I am still in awe of this awesome opportunity that Asia has earned through being awarded a scholarship to this world renown school. I'm so grateful for the scholarship because most people can not afford the tuition unless they are very well off financially. (so, she is with a group of rich kids....lol....but the wilderness does not differentiate!) Naturally, we are unable to talk to her at all during the next 30 days...which makes this difficult for me! She and I are so close. (I'm close to both of my daughters, actually...thank goodness Sereah is here!) This will be one of those life-changing experiences for her and may even change the path she heads down in life. Other news about Asia....she completed her first year of high school and carried a perfect 4.0 GPA the entire year while being a three-season athlete and also being involved in other activities as well as working part-time at the local health club/gym. She had a lead in the high school musical this spring....we did not know she could sing!!!! She started dating her best guy friend and they are just so cute together. Truly a first love. Ahhh, to be young! We are excited to see where her life leads....
Sereah spent a week in Boston, MA this spring. She realized that she is indeed a city girl. (something I always knew!) She also finished up her junior year in high school with only one "B" grade (math) with the rest being A's and many of her classes were dual-credit. Next year, she is taking many more dual-credit classes and should graduate high school with nearly a year of college credit completed. This summer, she is working and taking a college class. She is looking at history as a field of study for college and will probably attend UW on a scholarship. She has grown into a beautiful young lady who has a gift for language and history. She loves the theater and speech/debate and does well in both. I am so very proud of her and am amazed that she will graduate high school next year!!
Our oldest child, Zakk, is living in Rapid City and is making some good choices in life. I think he may be getting things on-track now. So happy for him and pray it continues. We miss him and hope to see him this summer.
Eddie is nearly 16 yrs old! His mental functioning seems to have stopped at approx 4/5 year old. He is getting much more difficult to handle as he gets older...the behavior problems in addition to the Down syndrome is taxing at times. He still needs 24/7 supervision which really holds me back from a career. (much of the reason why I can't work full-time very easily) We recently found out that the state of Wyoming makes parents keep their child (like Eddie) in the public school system until age 21! If you do pull them at 18, you are stuck trying to provide services for them on your own. I really think this is horrible to make someone stay in high school until age 21, especially when he will not progress in ability. Not to mention that I was planning on pursuing my career when I thought he'd graduate, which would have been in 3 years. Now it will be 6 years. Sigh. I am glad we were bold enough to adopt him and to really make a stand for radically giving of our lives and time by raising him, however it has been really difficult.
Eli will be in the upper elementary grades next year and then off to middle school. He is quite a cool little dude. Takes after his sisters in his intelligence and his humor is amazing. He has a natural gift for understanding anything scientific...which I am in awe of. He is a musician. He has decided to add swimming to his martial arts as his physical activities. He is more of a academic-type, but we are making sure he has the other side developed also. Thankfully his JRA has been mild and should allow the physical activities to a large extent. He is taking a chemistry class next week and then will be in drama camp.
I'm grateful and very blessed.
Peace.
