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As I sit here waiting for our hot water heater to repenish the warm water so I can soak in a warm bath. ( I have felt like trash the last 24 hours) I was on to catch up and realized I didn't get to mention that an anonomous person from our church had been extremely blessed this year and had asked Bruce for names of 3 families in our church who were hurting this holiday season. Our name was one listed, so we were supposed to give Duane, our associate minister, some interest the kids had and a list of our bills. We did and on December 23rd, Duane called and said that the people had brought by the church some gifts for us to put under the tree for the kids and if we could come by, that would be great. We got there and they had gotten Nathaniel a new bike, a speed racer track set, an air hog flyer , winter boots and gloves, and a $25 gift card to walmart. They had gotten Hannah a huge dry erase board, a huge coloring book, some snow boots and gloves, and an easy bake oven. They had also bought really neat paper and ribbons and gift tags. We put, "to hannah, from God; to nathaniel, from God." on all of them. They also gave us an envelope with $400 to help pay our utility bills. The kids were overwhelmed. We had Chris' family here that week also and I don't know what they thought of all of it. It has seemed easier, (so it feels) for them to just bypass the thought that we are surviving completely on the kindness of others and God's blessing through those people. I think they were overwhelmed with the generosity of our church and the people around us here. They were here when we had to leave to go and get all these things from the church. We were very thankful and still are. But with it being the beginning of another year and the holiday season over, we are facing the reality that we are still unsure of the future. WE are so grateful for all the kindness of others and I don't know how we would have made it through all of this without the kindness of strangers and others. We had our friends, the Mills family over last night to share in our plenty of food. We cooked off our ham and some veggies. They brought over some drinks and cookies. it was nice.
the kids and Chris have enjoyed the last few weeks just being together. I have been working extra hours at mazzios. so many, I am afraid that is why I was feeling ill all last night and all day today. Every ounce of my body was sore, and cramping. I got to thinking that I go in at 6:45 and have my vitamin water and either some toast or oatmeal, but the next chance I get to eat or have something to drink is when I get off. I have been the only cook in the back and this week, that has meant rolling dough, making dough, making all the food products, watching the buffet, cutting pizzas for orders and buffet, and watching the drive thru window. I haven't had time to stop and go get a drink. When I get off, i crash at home. Eat supper with my familty and maybe have one or two glasses of water. Otherwise, I am in bed by 9 and up to do it all over again. And this week, I have been staying until after 5. When I got off yesterday, I just left. There was a super rush right at 5 and the night crew was just getting there and weren't in the game to get in there and get the orders done. I had no energy left to help out. I just clocked out and left. I was worried I would fall over. I think most of my problem is that I am getting dehydrated and am working so long without a break to stop rushing around. I don't know how much long I can do this. It physically hurts. That is why I stayed home to rest. I slept all night and was up at 8 with the kids only to go back to bed around 9 and I slept until 4pm. I am still not feeling 100% so I am not going in tomorrow either. I am going to get a bath when I have hot water and am going to rest as much as I can the next few days. I know you all are praying. Continue to do so. This is so hard. We know God will get us through. The waiting for it is the worst. At least we have a wonderful church family and friends who are so wonderful to us.
Anyways, I am starting to feel weak again, so I am going to go and check on the water. I hope the new year will bring you all God's goodness and mercy!