yep, it's still happening.

 

So many people have assumed that having little mischievous Levi around would make homeschool hard.

I just don't understand why people would say that?  :)

The truth of the matter is that yes, he has made it harder.  

However, the truth is also that we have had our best year yet!

 I recently heard a godly seasoned homeschool momma say in looking back, it was their years of undergoing their biggest life challenges that they had their best homeschool years.  And the only reason she could think of is that their family had to lean on the Lord the most during those years.  And not only did He carry them through those years, but they far exceeded anything that happened when life was easier and she wasn't leaning on Him as much.  Yay!  I loved hearing that because it totally doesn't make any worldly sense!  But, that is it!  It's ALL ABOUT HIM!  And He loves it when we are so dependent upon Him.  No doubt, that is why homeschool continues to happen around this crazy house.  Dude, if it wasn't for the Lord, we would be taking this year OFF!  He is our power source.

 (doing Science with some of their best buddies! thank you, Lord!)

 (4 year old preschool in your jammies and with your dog.  life isn't so bad.)

therapies have begun

My prayer is that Levi's life brings God glory.
I don't know how that is going to happen, but I trust that it will.
When I am not selfishly praying for myself to survive life with Levi, then that is my prayer.

We have had two therapy sessions so far for Levi, including 5 therapists. 
The first appointment was very encouraging.  The therapists were a delight and they were so optimistic about Levi's future development.  Then the second appointment was the opposite.  The therapists think that Levi does have some fun mix of autism and issues from severe neglect/abuse and they seemed baffled as to how to work with him.  awesome.

After the first week of therapy that was so encouraging I felt the Lord say VERY clearly to me, "jennifer, do NOT put your faith in what they are saying.  Look ONLY to Me.  Let your heart ONLY be encouraged by Me."  And then after this last week when the therapists seemed so baffled and NOT encouraging, again I hear the Lord saying, "Do NOT let your heart be discouraged.  Pick yourself up.  I am the LORD.  Look ONLY to Me."

And the therapies have just begun.  We still have at least 4 other therapists still to meet. 

So far we are doing all his therapies through our local Education Service District because we have heard good things about them and they are free.  At some point we will need to get some private therapists to supplement, is what we have been advised.

And not to be forgotten, the little guy still has multiple medical issues that we are still actively trying to figure out.  This week will bring visits to his Pediatric GI doc and an ENT doc. 

I grabbed this picture at the end of his therapist appointment (we're going to have to come up with something more fun to say than "therapy appointment") this week.  My little guy who NEVER takes a nap fell asleep in the middle of his appointment when the therapists were working with him on both sides of him on this couch.  

Can you say shut down?!  ugh, poor guy.

Our family is going through Joshua right now and this book has blessed my heart so much.  I know God meant these words for Joshua as he was beginning a very hard time of battles and challenges before they could rest in the Promise Land, but I hear Him saying them to me too.  Thank you, Lord. 

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you;  I will never leave you nor forsake you.   Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.  Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you;  do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let the Book of the Law depart from your mouth;  meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified;  do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:5-9

THREE years with Mei.

I used to think of the month of November as the month of Thanksgiving or maybe the month of political elections. 
But three years ago that all changed. 
Three years ago I met my Mei.

To me, November is the month of Mei.

Happy Gotcha Month Mei Mei!!!!!


November 2009

November 2012 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly 

beyond all that we ask or think, 

according to the power that works within us, 

to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus 

to all generations forever and ever.

Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21