Well, since I last wrote, that saturday morning a friend of ours from church called and asked if we would be there a little while. We said yes, and she came by with a food/supply donation that the school had taken. Over 10 boxes of groceries, shampoo, toilet paper, and other basic supplies. We were overwhelmed. We headed up to the reunion a little late, but realing in the generosity of others. When arriving, we had a surprize. Noel had driven up just because and so we got to spend the afternoon visiting with relatives we had never met. We went to Grandma and Grandpa's after that so Noel, Clyde and Chris could replace the brakes on the car that were going out. And just in time, the weather turned ugly Monday. Temps were -4 when i headed to work so Chris kept them out of it. Forgotten to me, Chris' truck has no heat in it, so he didnt want to risk Nathaniel's asthma.(which Chris recieved money from my Grandma to help fix that asap!! Blessings!) then, tuesday, the ice came in and so everyone but me was home. by wednesday, nathaniel was throwing up and everyone was getting really tired of being stuck together, minus me, of course. All this time, I was working like a mad person at mazzios. Most of the people have either quit, or just didn't show up. A usual day this week was me, shirley, a manager, and a cut person. Maybe a cashier once in a while. it was crazy.
Anyways, nathaniel was feeling better thursday morning, which was good considering he was in a christmas play that morning, which I missed. Chris said he did well. since thursday was Chris birthday, he went to a friends house to play computer games while the kids were in school and i was at work. we hurried home to bake a cake and decorate. we then splurged and took him out to eat something other than ramen or rice and came home and passed out. Friday i was actually off, so I let Chris sleep in and took the kids to school. I did some cleaning around the house and enjoyed being here doing things. i got a call from the kids principal around noon asking if I could come into her office before heading to the kids party.
A little worried, i agreed. Chris went to blanchard to use some anonoymous donated money to take care of our car tags, which was another wonderful blessing. I headed to the school, Chris planning on meeting me there. I went into the office and the principal took me into her office and closed the door. she sat me down and said, "you know anyone here is family and your family is our family. We take care of family. And we know how hard it has been for you guys and we really wanted to help." She pulled out a card that basically was a reminder that Christmas is about Gods love and showing it to others. Inside were 3 gift cards. 2 to walmart and 1 to Target. She then said, "we heard you don't have health insurance and the kids weren't going to get gifts this year. there is over $500 in there. we hope it helps. We know you and we know that when God brings you back to your feet, you will pay it forward." I began to sob. A $20 gift card would have been more than enough, but 500 was overwhelming. Then she pulled out a bag and said that the kids teachers had instigated the whole donation and had gotten the kids gifts. Inside was a huge plush horse for Hannah and a container full of dinosaurs with play mat and nountains. I gave her a huge hug and cried somemore. After leaving the office, i ran into chris who was just arriving. He went into the office and gave her a hug and then when we went to the parties, we thanked the teachers.
Also this week, I recieved a card in the mail Wednesday from my sisters. they knew we were hard off and that i wouldn't be able to afford to even get Chris a birthday gift. The purchased tickets to Brian Reagan, Chris' favorite comedian, who is coming to OKC in february. they sent the tickets and said to give them to Chris on behalf of us. I was overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed is the only word for all of this. I am really having a hard time processing all that God is doing. There is no answer to why, but I am trusting in that he is working. I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. I appreciate the generosity of others and am looking forward to when we can reciprocate the favor. it is just so humbling to have everyone helping provide for our needs and even some of our wants. My parents and their help with the utility bills and the generosity of everyone will allow my measly paycheck to pay the mortgage and everything else is taken care of. I am just hoping that the love shown to us will carry us all through this season!! All our love to all of you who check this!! merry christmas!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Our update for the last 2 weeks!:-)
Well, as you may have guessed, the lack of updating is due to the fact that I have been so busy at work. I have been opening the store myself. I was given a key and a security code. I have been going in at 7 and starting all 3 batches of dough, then rolling out all the pizza shells and by 9 I am joined by Shirley, who sets up the front, and another person in the back to help set up prep for the lunch rush. Depending on who the manager is, Tony and Scott usually show up around 8:30 to set up the registers and take the money to the bank.
As for the rest of my family, they are doing alright. Chris is still looking for a job. He has been really good at helping around the house. When i get home, i am so sore and tired from all the stuff at work, it is nice to know that i don't have to worry about dishes and laundry and all that. I have helped him out, but he has been workiing really hard. He takes the kid to school in the morning and I pick them up. He had his christmas musical last weekend. it was titled "I'll be home for Christmas" It was a powerful program centered around Pearl harbor and how a christian family deals with the ups and downs of a spouse being over seas and not knowing of their return. Trusting in God and that His dreams are better than ours was kind of the theme.
My parents were down to go to the Oklahoma City train show at the state fair arena that weekend. They got to go to the Saturday evening program. it was nice for them to be able to go to his program.
We had a great time. At the train show, Nathaniel got to drive a few trains in an area they called switching control. The guy was really helpful and he had a good time. My dad had a great time seeing all the new scenery and getting new items and ideas.
Hannah had her first grade program the following Monday. Her program was super sweet. All the first graders walked in with jingle bells and they were all dressed up. They had their teachers out dressed like the chipmunks and sang with them for a few songs. Their principal came out dressed like "polar pup" too. they sang silent night and her good friend Courtney got to sing a special part. Hannah did a great job! We took her out for a special drink at sonic afterwards. That night was also Nathaniel's first night of Upwards basketball. Chris took him to that since it started at 6pm and Hannah had to be at her program at 6:30, for it to start at 7 and that was when Nathaniel's practice was over. He was really excited about practice. He is number 8 and he is on the team "Flash". His 2 coaches, chris said, were really encouraging and are really big into them learning their skills and the bible verses that go with their training program. it is really neat. I can't wait to go and see this coming monday night. They will practice every monday night at 6pm and his games will be all the month of January and february on saturday mornings at 8am. their games are a half an hour, with 6 minute quarters and a half time. Every child is guaranteed to play 2 quarters. he is really loving it.
Lets see, what else... We can't believe that this coming week is the kids last week of school and that Chris' birthday is this coming thursday. since we are struggling financially, we won't be able to do gifts for anyone, especially each other, so we are trying to come up with fun things we can do to with each other for gifts. Thanks to my parents, they brought about 4 or 5 gifts with them when they came, so the kids will have something to open on christmas day. I am off today, but there is a huge Crosswhite family reunion in Dover, and Grandma Crosswhite wanted us to come up. they would help out in anyway they could, as long as we would be there.
We are hoping that God will show himself faithful to us this holiday season. We are trying to rest in His presence, since we think back on the last year and wonder why all these things have happened. Chris loved his job at lowes and was on the way up, we bought a property we love, we have a church home we love, Nathaniel got baptized this year, and yet, here we are, barely able to pay our morgage and bills, were denied health insurance and food stamps, and aren't able to do hardly anything this holiday season. We know that God is in it all, so we appreciate your prayers more than anything at this time. Satan is definately on the prowl. We want this all to be about Christ, more than any time in our history for all those reasons. We hope you are having a good time and enjoying the time we remember God's greatest gift and hope you are staying warm and dry.
will hopefully write again before Christmas!! If not, have a great one!!
As for the rest of my family, they are doing alright. Chris is still looking for a job. He has been really good at helping around the house. When i get home, i am so sore and tired from all the stuff at work, it is nice to know that i don't have to worry about dishes and laundry and all that. I have helped him out, but he has been workiing really hard. He takes the kid to school in the morning and I pick them up. He had his christmas musical last weekend. it was titled "I'll be home for Christmas" It was a powerful program centered around Pearl harbor and how a christian family deals with the ups and downs of a spouse being over seas and not knowing of their return. Trusting in God and that His dreams are better than ours was kind of the theme.
My parents were down to go to the Oklahoma City train show at the state fair arena that weekend. They got to go to the Saturday evening program. it was nice for them to be able to go to his program.
We had a great time. At the train show, Nathaniel got to drive a few trains in an area they called switching control. The guy was really helpful and he had a good time. My dad had a great time seeing all the new scenery and getting new items and ideas.
Hannah had her first grade program the following Monday. Her program was super sweet. All the first graders walked in with jingle bells and they were all dressed up. They had their teachers out dressed like the chipmunks and sang with them for a few songs. Their principal came out dressed like "polar pup" too. they sang silent night and her good friend Courtney got to sing a special part. Hannah did a great job! We took her out for a special drink at sonic afterwards. That night was also Nathaniel's first night of Upwards basketball. Chris took him to that since it started at 6pm and Hannah had to be at her program at 6:30, for it to start at 7 and that was when Nathaniel's practice was over. He was really excited about practice. He is number 8 and he is on the team "Flash". His 2 coaches, chris said, were really encouraging and are really big into them learning their skills and the bible verses that go with their training program. it is really neat. I can't wait to go and see this coming monday night. They will practice every monday night at 6pm and his games will be all the month of January and february on saturday mornings at 8am. their games are a half an hour, with 6 minute quarters and a half time. Every child is guaranteed to play 2 quarters. he is really loving it.
Lets see, what else... We can't believe that this coming week is the kids last week of school and that Chris' birthday is this coming thursday. since we are struggling financially, we won't be able to do gifts for anyone, especially each other, so we are trying to come up with fun things we can do to with each other for gifts. Thanks to my parents, they brought about 4 or 5 gifts with them when they came, so the kids will have something to open on christmas day. I am off today, but there is a huge Crosswhite family reunion in Dover, and Grandma Crosswhite wanted us to come up. they would help out in anyway they could, as long as we would be there.
We are hoping that God will show himself faithful to us this holiday season. We are trying to rest in His presence, since we think back on the last year and wonder why all these things have happened. Chris loved his job at lowes and was on the way up, we bought a property we love, we have a church home we love, Nathaniel got baptized this year, and yet, here we are, barely able to pay our morgage and bills, were denied health insurance and food stamps, and aren't able to do hardly anything this holiday season. We know that God is in it all, so we appreciate your prayers more than anything at this time. Satan is definately on the prowl. We want this all to be about Christ, more than any time in our history for all those reasons. We hope you are having a good time and enjoying the time we remember God's greatest gift and hope you are staying warm and dry.
will hopefully write again before Christmas!! If not, have a great one!!
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