Huzzah!!!!!

We have more stable internet now! The kind folks at Windstream sent a tech out to fix the chronic internet-no-internet problem we've been having. So you know what that means? MORE BLOG POSTS!!!!

So, here's the skinny; this is our weekend off, or what would be. We've agreed to come back early so our relief can go to a funeral for a loved one. We'll be tired, sure, but it's nice to be able to serve in their time of need. Makes me feel good inside :)  However, we'll get to have almost a week off next time, so that'll be REALLY nice.

Other than that, there's not a lot to talk about from the past few days. Like, things happened, but they're a little too personal for the resident's for me to share in good conscience. I don't mind sharing some stories occasionally, but the past few days were a little rough.

I WILL, however, give you some things to pray about, because ALL of us here need your prayers:

1. Ranch Staff- these folks our our lifeline. They do SOOOO much to help us be able to focus on our parenting and not all the coordination things. Their plates are overflowing, and yet they serve with happy attitudes. For them, pray for peace, focus, patience, and energy as they go about the hundreds of tasks they have.

2. Houseparents- That's us, and three other couples. They are the front line for the kids, and their days are full of, well, you all who are parents KNOW what their days are full of :) For them, pray for emotional energy, patience, wisdom, loving attitudes, and SLEEP (because we never seem to get enough). Also pray for their marriages, because (SURPRISE!) dealing with troubled boys all day every day is a little straining on the relationship to each other (who knew?!?)

3. Relief Houseparents- Some think of them as part-time, but honestly, they have a more difficult job than we do. Sure, we stay with our cottage for ten days at a time, but the relief have to keep up with a different cottage every weekend. That seems SOOO much more stressful to me. For them, pray for the same things as the regular houseparents, but perhaps add clarity of mind as well, so they can remember which boys are which!

4. The Boys- Ahh, the boys. Perhaps the question isn't what to pray for, but what NOT to pray for. These boys really need tons of prayer. Some were abused, neglected, or abandoned. Others just can't get along with their parents/guardians. Some are just having problems doing well in school. Others just have no other place to go. Pray for peace in their hearts. Pray for them to not feel like they're broken or damaged because they're here. Pray for their minds to be attentive in school and church (many have ADHD and find that EXTRA hard). Pray for them to have the absolutely COOLEST dreams every night (because so many remember the terrors of their past when they lay in bed each night). Pray for their days to be filled with fun, because many, honestly, just need some time to be a kid. But above all, pray for the same things you pray for your kid, because no matter who a kid is, where he's from, or what his family is like, they ALL need prayer.

So yeah, that's today's post. Hope you have a great weekend! I know we will!