First Day of School: Twisted!

For the first time in 18 years, 3 months and 29 days, I am home alone -- today, tomorrow, and every day through the school year. Not only that, but one of my three is at college -- all by himself! I won't be there to wake him when he sleeps through the alarm or to pray with him before he heads off to class or to make sure he eats his veggies!

Thanks to lots of wonderful, praying friends I am getting through it. Well. No tears. No anxieties or worries... though, I do obsessively check my son's twitter feed for glimpses into his collegiate world (he's being stingy with his posts!).

In honor of our life of change, I've created a "picture book" look into this season. Enjoy!

 We've walked far together, our family of five...

Eloquent Ellie

No surprise that our little diva likes sparkle words!

Ellie's teacher is helping the kids grasp the concept of "sparkle" words, mostly adjectives that occur before the word they describe. Eloquent Ellie loves sparkle words! She joyously interrupts a quiet conversation when she recognizes these dazzling darlings! As we read her books, she frequently interrupts herself when she discovers a hidden gem in the story.

Sometimes, though, her quiet soul quivers when she can't think of a wonderful word to interject in her school sentences.... as you can see, I have no such ignominious issue!

To help my effervescent Ellie perfect her new skill, we are memorizing Psalm 145 together. Just read this precious words...

I will exalt you, my God the King; 

   I will praise your name for ever and ever. 

² Every day I will praise you 

   and extol your name for ever and ever.

 ³ Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; 

   his greatness no one can fathom. 

⁴ One generation commends your works to another; 

   they tell of your mighty acts. 

⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— 

   and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

⁶ They tell of the power of your awesome works— 

   and I will proclaim your great deeds. 

⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness 

   and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

I doubt that King David's first grade teacher taught sparkle words, but I'm confident that with all his soul, he understood the glorious richness these words add. And he used them to praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, God, his Savior and Redeemer!

How about us? Does God hear us sing his deserved praises? Or does he just hear our pitiful moans?

Something to think about!

May your day be richly blessed with the love of your Heavenly Father who adores you!

SYATP - See You at the Pole

For years, this last Wednesday in September starts with me taking the kids to church or school to pray at the flag pole. The kids take the lead: praying for teachers, classmates who need Jesus, their leaders, and themselves -- asking God to use them to make a difference.

We're missing it today -- something about coughing and hacking on all the kids seemed like a bad idea.

Sad.

Then it hit me. SYATP is a movement of students praying for each other and their world. Yes, it's nice to gather at a flag pole and pray corporately. But we can pray at home, too. Right? For the same thing?

In fact, shouldn't the SYATP prayer be our prayer every day? Parents, we can pray for our kids to be a light in the darkness. We can pray for their teachers and leaders. We can pray for our government.

Students, don't just pray one day a year. This should be your prayer every day. God use me. Help me touch other people's lives with your love. Help my teachers and leaders. Be with us, God. Help us make a difference.

If we pray one day a year and forget the rest, are we really doing all we should? SYATP is awesome! A public, corporate stand for Jesus. But...

Let's not forget the other 364 days.

God bless us, every one, every day.

Music Matters

Friends,
My son was homeschooled through eighth grade. He finally convinced us to let him attend public high school by arguing, "You've taught me to be a light in the world. How am I going to shine it if I never get to go anywhere?" He had a valid point! Mark 16:15 says, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." He went. He invited kids to church. He has made a difference in his school.

One of the main reasons he transitioned so well is that he joined the band. Instantly, he had a "social network." He fit in somewhere. He belonged. The band started rehearsing under the hot July sun. They spent ten plus hours together each week -- often more -- for about two months before the school year began. Though he is only one of the 650 kids in his graduating class, he wasn't lost on the big campus. Music matters!

This month, his high school band (full disclosure here -- he's no longer in the band because piano practice and competitions are so time consuming) is participating in the Pepsi Refresh Project. Would you please take a couple minutes to vote for them? These kids and their parents work tirelessly to raise funds for the program and a boost from Pepsi would help a lot!

It takes just a couple minutes -- tops! And you can vote every day this month.

STEP 1:

Text from your phone. 

The text will go to: 73774 

The message is: 108900 

Hit send..you should get a text back saying thanks for voting. 

STEP 2: 

Go to http://www.refresheverything.com/ and click "sign in" at the bottom left of the screen. 

If this is your first time, click SIGN UP (right below WANT A PEPSI ACCOUNT?) and follow the instructions. You will need a password that 

you will remember....westband is easy to remember. 

Once you have an account, click "sign in with Pepsi". 

Enter your email address and password that you used to sign up. 

Search West Johnston in search box at the top right of the screen. 

VOTE. 

Sign out. 

STEP 3: 

Click "sign in to Pepsi" on the Pepsi refresh homepage (bottom left of the screen). 

This time click "sign in with Facebook". 

Sign in to your Facebook account with your Facebook user name and password. 

Type in West Johnston in the search box at the top right of the page. 

Vote for West and you're done! 

Our family does not benefit from this at all. We are not affiliated with Pepsi. I'm asking because I know this program makes a huge difference in kids' lives!

Thank you!

Love,

The Bus Driver

The phone rang early this morning -- any time before 9:00 and the second cup of coffee is early. I looked at the number, didn't recognize it and thought about letting it go to voicemail. Then I answered.

It was my kids' bus driver! Truly, I never would have expected a call from the bus driver. School hasn't started yet, so I know my kids can't have done anything wrong. Yet. (Hopefully never.)

She called because bus routes changed this year (a cost cutting effort by our school system which I applaud). My son, a rising senior, would have had a new bus stop. He's driving this year so it doesn't affect him... She laughed when I told her and said, "Ahhh, the senior freedom bug." And she wished him a wonderful senior year.

She happens to drive for my daughter, a first grader, too. She commented that she loves seeing me wave from the window every morning. (That's my compromise -- letting my daughter have some freedom while I still watch over her.) Her route doesn't change. YAY! We can keep waving through the window.

A short call, but so sweet.

Nobody ever hears about the good bus drivers, just those who text and drive or fall asleep or forget a kid... Today, I salute all the wonderful bus drivers out there -- the unsung heroes who drive safely day in and day out, care about their kids and actually get to know them. Thank you for all you do!

College Visit!!!

Hello bloggy friends,

Nathan and I are road-tripping to Belmont University this weekend. I can't believe a year from now we'll be planning a graduation party. WOW! He's growing up quick.

I love this kid!!! :)

Please join us in praying:

• safety as we travel there and back,
• wisdom and insight -- is this the college God wants him to attend,
• fellowship -- we're traveling with friends from church, yippee!!!,
• and peace, patience, wisdom and understanding for Rob as he holds down the fort with Ben and Ellie. Ben has lots of homework this weekend. Ellie will be stuck inside with all the rain. Should be a fun time!

Thank you!!! I'll let you know how it goes.

Love,

Karen

Memorial Box Monday: Law School

Memorial Box Monday started at "A Place Called Simplicity." A friend of mine introduced me to it last week, and I love it! love it! love it!!! Memorial Box Monday provides an opportunity to remember all the good things God has done. Huge, gigantic things and little things that might seem insignificant. God's word is clear: "Cast every care on Me, for I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7).


Our home is filled with talk of PSAT and SAT testing as our son prepares to apply to colleges. He's been asking lots of questions about his dad's and my journey to college (some of it, we're too old to remember!) Last week before he took the PSAT, I reminded him that all he has to do is give the best he's got that day. We prayed together before I sent him off to school -- asking God to prepare the way for whatever is next in our son's life.


It reminded me of when God changed the total course of my life -- sending me on a journey I never would have picked in a million years! Partway through my senior year, the dean of my college called me into his office. I went to Ohio State and we rarely met senior administration, much less get called to their office. I was concerned.


He said, "You need to go to law school." What? Me? Never, not once had I considered it! I made some quick objections: 

1. I don't know anything about law school. He explained that "all" I had to do was take the LSAT.
2. How much does that cost? I don't have any money to take that test. He assured me that my financial need would be covered by the Ohio State law school. All I had to do was fill out a paper that proved my need.

All my objections answered, he sent me off to the law school to inquire about the test. Within moments, I had applied for a test fee waiver and was approved. Seriously! The lady gave me a trifold brochure that explains the question types, the test date and location of the next test. She also told me it was the last day to apply for the next LSAT and wished me luck. It was that simple! 

I didn't know about LSAT study guides, not that I could have purchased one. Instead, I prepared by reading the brochure. More than once, I wondered what I had gotten myself into.

Test day arrived. I headed to the testing location and listened to the litany of testing rules. I sat with fellow test-takers, some of them taking the test for the second, third and even fourth time -- hoping for better scores to get into their desired school. 

I sat down at an ancient wooden desk with a Pepsi and a poptart (don't ask... I was in college and considered that a good breakfast). I surveyed the room, realizing I had no business being there. I closed my eyes and told God, "If you really want me to go to law school, You better show up big time. Make it abundantly clear that this is the plan you have for my life." I didn't think this was it. 

Sometime later, I got my test results. I had scored in the 97th percentile in the whole country! Only 3% of test takers had higher scores. I was astounded. Then, I had no idea what to do next. Thankfully, I worked with some amazing people who helped me figure out what to do. I applied to three schools -- fees waived because of need -- and was accepted at all of them. I chose to stay at Ohio State. Law school wasn't easy -- there's definitely a learning curve to law education -- but the professors were awesome and helped me figure it all out.

People often ask if I'll ever return to law practice. I honestly don't think I will. God called me to a law career to do something specific, which I did. He provided me a great education that helps me stay organized in ministry. It helps me research my kids' special needs and provide for them. God knew law school would provide skills I need for everyday life. It may not be the traditional course, but I wonder -- how often is God's plan predictable? or ordinary? 

I'll put a picture of Rob and me at my law school graduation in my memory box to remind me that God's plan is not always what I think it might be. I hope it helps my son remember that no matter what his test scores are, God has a plan for his life too and will never leave him or foresake him. 

"All the kingdoms of the world"

Again the devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; and He said to Him, "All these I will give you, if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus replied, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.'" Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Matthew 4:8-11

This week marks our daughter's first full week of kindergarten. She boards the bus at 8:15 every morning, spends a fun-filled day with her friends (Seriously, she doesn't even realize she's learning. She enjoys the whole thing!), and returns home about 4:00 in the afternoon. We expected it to wear her out. Instead, she arrives home, bubbling over with energy, ready to play and explore some more.

Nathan's junior year in high school is proving to be more intense than he expected. His classes are more demanding, and the homework piles up, but he loves it. Ben's much the same. We're studying logic this year. The logic vocabulary is unique to the subject. With the challenges Ben faces in learning new things, this course is proving to be quite difficult. Thankfully, he seems to enjoy it... except for how long it takes to master.

I expected smooth sailing this year. I actually thought that having Ellie in school would simplify things at home. I never anticipated logic to take over where she left off -- consuming big chunks of the school day. I had expected some breathing room. I didn't anticipate needing to adjust to school schedules. For some reason, having to watch the clock and keep her on schedule in the morning wears me down. Reminding Nathan about homework and piano practice grates on my nerves. He's a relaxed kind of guy, not at all intimidated by deadlines. In his world, there's always tomorrow to get done what he could do today. UGH!

My attitude these past couple weeks has not been pleasant. I'm frustrated that school still goes from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ben's working so hard. He's amazingly persistent. He doesn't let his limitations get the best of him.

Instead... I do that. I find myself wishing he would learn like everybody else. I wonder if he could survive in public school. What accommodations would they offer? Selfishly, I want to throw in the towel.

Do you see what satan's trying to do? He's filled my head with visions of peace, a relaxed pace, and time for myself. He's "helped" me forget how tough new concepts are for Ben. He's clouded my memory -- so I don't recall all the things we have already overcome. Just two years ago, Ben (8th grade now) couldn't read a chapter book. Now, he reads on grade level. He's a little slow, but he gets it.

In the desert, satan tempted Jesus -- promising Him lordship over the earth if He would simply bow down to him. I think, perhaps, I am in the desert myself. I'm tempted by "easy living." Days filled with peace and quiet. Time to do what I want, not weighed down by the study of logic, Kepler, Copernicus and the death penalty. Satan's got me where he wants me.

That really makes me mad.

I don't really want what he offers. I'll have enough of that when the kids leave home. In my heart, I know I really want to prepare my kids for their life as adults. It's my calling to raise them and equip them to follow God all the days of their life.

Where does that leave me?

Honestly, right where I need to be. On my knees. Praying to Jesus. Asking Him to help me overcome the temptation I face. Asking Him to fill me with desire to do God's will. Asking Him to help me say, "...Away from me, Satan! For it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" (Matt. 4:10). The devil can't steal what I won't give him. And I'm not giving him my family!

Stand in the Gap.

Nathan headed off to the bus at 6:35 this morning. Hard to believe he's a junior. His first day of kindergarten still shines vivid in my memory. He loved school when he was little and wanted summer to hurry up and get done so he could get back to school.

He has learned to appreciate the joys of summer over the past eleven years, but he still loves going to school. He woke up at 5:00 this morning, raring to go. (We always worry he'll sleep through the alarm. He never does.) He doesn't need us to walk him to the bus stop anymore. My baby boy is growing up. Does he still appreciate our prayers with him each morning?

My little one heads of to kindergarten in just a couple weeks -- I love our system's staggered entry program for the little ones, but she would like to go NOW! We visited her school last week and peeked into her classroom. I thought she'd be thrilled at the kitchen area, dress up clothes and books. She saw something else that has her so excited she can hardly stand it. I'd tell you what it is, but she swore me to secrecy. ;-)

Ben loves school this year too. He started first -- my young home schooler wants desperately to go to public high school next year. He's willing to work hard to overcome the hurdles he's always faced. No complaining so far this year... well, a little bit on Monday, but not much.

My kids love learning. And school.

But not everyone does. Lots of kids go to school without lunch. They go without any support from their parents. Often, it's simply because the parents don't know how to help. They're overwhelmed by trying to survive day to day. Teachers care for these kids the best they can, but unsupportive home situations are hard to overcome.

Let's pray for the kids who don't have prayer today. For kids going to school hungry. Or tired. Or hurting. Let's pray for teachers to be able to touch these little hearts supernaturally. While we're at it, let's ask God to show us how we can help. We can fill schools with supplies for kids who have nothing. We can volunteer in the schools -- standing in the gap to love them the way Jesus would. We can make a difference. It's not the teachers' job to do it alone. It takes a community to raise a generation!

What will you do?

Memorial Box Monday: Answers

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. 
John 16:33

As another school year draws to a close, I find myself looking back. Again. Trees bud. Flowers bloom. Butterflies flutter. And I reflect.


Three years ago, our son was diagnosed with orthographic processing disorder. We had known something was wrong - he just didn't get spelling or reading or lots of other things not even related to school. He wanted to, but nothing stuck. He wanted friends, but usually playdates and birthday parties ended with him in tears over a misunderstanding and reprimands for his temper on the drive home. The older he got, the worse it was. He got to the point that he labeled himself stupid and even wished he was dead. It broke our hearts. 


Every spring, we asked educational testers to help us figure out what was wrong. No one seemed to have an answer. We prayed for him. Our friends prayed for him. His church leaders prayed for him -- for a breakthrough, for his emotions, and for peace in our house.


Finally, toward the end of fourth grade, God led us to the answer. As we sought care for our daughter (see this Memorial Box post), a therapist noticed some things about my son and recommended testing. Isn't that cool? Our daughter's issues led to our son's relief!


We ended up at a local university educational testing department. These caring professionals spent hours interviewing my husband and me. She had us complete evaluation forms about his educational experience, his friendships, and his experiences in our home. Our son met with her three times for interviews and testing. The process took quite a while.


And then... she put all the pieces together. Struggles we had wondered about his whole life suddenly had an explanation. She gave us strategies for his learning. She recommended testing accommodations to help him succeed. She even suggested how we could discipline him more effectively to curb his outbursts. My husband and I couldn't believe it. We had an answer!


We hurried home to our son, nervous about telling him there was something "different." Yet, we were relieved. Snuggling on the couch, we told him there was a reason reading and spelling are hard, and it's not that he is stupid. We gave him the basic details. And then...


He smiled broadly. Huge grin! "You mean there is something wrong with me?" Uhhh... I was thinking: Wrong, no. Different, yes. Before I had a chance to speak, he added, "I'm not really stupid." Then he was filled with questions about what to do and how to do it.


It gets better! We told the families of his two best friends about the results (they were our prayer warriors through the whole thing anyway). We explained why he has trouble playing with other kids sometimes and what can be done to make it better. These wonderful people listened to it all and helped make playdates more successful for our son. They watched out for him and helped him through the tough stuff.


And better yet! Their boys, my son's friends, cared. These boys wanted to know about his disorder. They wanted to know what would help it get better. They watched out for him. Shortly after his diagnosis, my son learned to spell a second grade type word. These two boys came over to play that afternoon, and the first thing my son did was tell them, "I can spell..." and proceeded to spell it. The boys dive-bombed him and they celebrated like he had just scored the winning touchdown in the Superbowl! Two minutes later they were off playing something normal and boy-like, celebration done.


He still doesn't spell well - but he doesn't worry about it. He knows he'll figure words out over time. He reads slowly - but independently. He participates fully in homeschool group activities, at church, on his sports teams. He has transformed -- blossomed into an incredible young man.


John 16:33 says we will have trouble in this world. My young son has certainly had lots of trouble through the years. Yet Christ came to overcome the world. Through prayer, God helped my son overcome his self-doubt and frustration. God surrounded us with real friends, who love us enough to want to help our son succeed. He provided my son with genuine friendships, even at a young age. 


I am thankful for all He has done in my son's life. I'm thankful he didn't make us go through it alone, but gave us -- and our son -- friends to support us on the journey. We are truly blessed. To remember this season in our life, I will place a picture of my son and his two friends taken about the time he was diagnosed. 


Memorial Box Monday started at "A Place Called Simplicity." A friend of mine introduced me to it, and I love it! love it! love it!!! Memorial Box Monday provides an opportunity to remember all the good things God has done. Huge, gigantic things and little things that might seem insignificant. God's word is clear: "Cast every care on Me, for I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7).

Purpose, Purpose, Purpose

Last year, my son learned the four types of sentences from this little chant:

Purpose, purpose, purpose. What is the purpose?

Declarative (.), Interrogative (?), Imperative (command), and Exclamatory (!).

It swirls through my head when I blog... not so I structure my sentences properly, but because every time I post, I wonder, "What's the purpose of this blog? Or, of this post?" I enjoy writing, but I can do that in a journal just as easily. In fact, I keep a journal... those are my thoughts for me. No one else has to read it. So, why blog?

I blog because:

• God gave me a passion to write.
• God gave me a passion to teach, build up, raise up and encourage.
• God gave me three very unique children... They represent every kind of kid imaginable. One is a "genius," so say his test scores (yet... he doesn't understand that dressers are for clothes and chairs are for sitting). One has difficulty with academics, due to a "learning difference." And one is outrageously typical, which to me is atypical!
• God gave me two boys and one girl, testosterone and estrogen, and the chaos they throw my way.
• God gave me biological kids and the child of our hearts, adopted from China.
• God gave me the opportunity to homeschool and the experiences of sending kids to public school - we do them both.
• God gave me an incredible husband, church, and friends to challenge me and hold me accountable. Yet, He has allowed me to experience loneliness and its pain.
• God gave me time. Time to teach, time to listen, time to share, and time to grow.

I hope when you read my blog that God gives you:

• passion: to grow, challenge yourself, and share your experiences, too. (We learn through each other so much quicker than when we go it alone).
• comfort: that you are not the only one who thinks this, wonders that, wishes the other!
• joy: life is too short to despair, no matter how difficult the circumstances!
• encouragement: to keep going no matter what obstacles you must overcome.
• clarity: His Word is my inspiration. I may not quote verses in every post, but when I share, the words come from my heart - shaped and molded by His Precious Word! I pray that YOU will find answers to your questions, hope in your despair, love in the darkness as the love of God flows through me to touch you.

I pray that God will be with each of us as we journey through this life together. Friend in person or friend by blog, I am thankful you are here. I pray that God will use this little bit of web space to make a difference, for us both. In the love of Christ, I pray. Amen

Faith in the Darkness

Walking through life, it's easy sometimes to forget about God. Not because we want to, it's just that sometimes we get so comfortable, that we forget that God is in control. Like cruise control living.

My son is still so sick, and his illness has thrown us all for a loop. Chicken soup, yogurt, applesauce, herbal tea, and antioxidant rich dark juices haven't made him well, though how I wish they would. Doctors can't cure mono. It must run its course, and it doesn't care what the schedule is. We could focus on this illness and the chaos surrounding it, or...

Our youth pastor, Josh Wright, recently shared from Psalm 23, not the part about "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death." (Nathan may wonder if he's there right now, but he's not...) Josh shared from verse 5: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." We can look at life as a cup half empty, a cup half full, or a cup overflowing with the goodness of God.

I pray that Nathan will understand that even though he falling behind in school, he is blessed with teachers who care about him and are willing to work with him while he recovers. May he realize he is blessed with an amazing intellect that will help him bounce back quicker than he thinks. I pray he will appreciate that even though he has missed out on two weeks of band rehearsals and competitions, his directors respect and appreciate him and want him back on the "team" as soon as he's able, no matter how much time he's missed. I pray that he will understand in a new, special way, how intricate God's workmanship is: one little virus is "bringing him down," but one glorious God creating his body in such a way that he will overcome it. As he recovers, I pray his attitude will reflect his confidence in God.

And God, while you're at it, check my heart. Fill me with an overflowing gratitude for your love and care. Help me see You in every hurdle I must overcome. Be with me and help my light shine brighter than it ever has before so that others will know the transforming power of Your love. Don't let me go through life on cruise control, but instead, let me see you in every day. Amen.

Answered Prayer

As our school year began, I honestly was quite nervous about how Ben would do. He has struggled with academics his whole life, not because of smarts, but because he just couldn't read or organize his thoughts. He has struggled some in group situations, with friendships (though God has blessed him with some amazing, non-judgmental, easy-going friends), and with staying the course. I expected to fight with him over the schedule, the amount of work required in "middle school level work," well, with all of it.

And I prayed for Ben - to be strong and courageous, to grow in confidence and ability, to know that no challenge is too big for him.

God answered. "Yes."

I'm sitting here, week two of school, not quite sure what to do with myself. Ben gets up and starts his day. He tackles his work subject by subject, on his own. He has read his own assignments (asking only for occasional explanations in rhetoric), written his own outlines and papers, followed his schedule. I sit. I wait. I wonder when the bottom will fall out.

But God answered. "Yes."

So as I write, I apologize to God. I asked Your help with our school year. I asked You to prepare Ben for the new level of work. I asked You to guide us. I asked You to help him learn to read and gain confidence. I am sorry I doubted You. You love Ben more than I can. Of course, You would prepare him for the challenges in school. Of course You would honor my prayers... It's not like I haven't prayed a long time for these same things. I am sorry for almost missing it. Thank You, Lord, for taking me on this journey with Ben. For using his learning differences to help me grow in patience, gentleness and trust in You. I rejoice that You answer prayer, always at the perfect time, and with the perfect answer. Please help me remember the lessons You are teaching me. And continue to grow Ben in confidence, wisdom and love for You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

School Days

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)

My boys are gearing up for another school year. Nathan gets his course schedule and meets his teachers today. I am so proud of him for wanting to live boldly for Jesus in the public high school. My prayer is that he will have great teachers and continue to make wise decisions... Selfishly, I'd love him to dive into homework more willingly :)

Ben starts back tomorrow, with a day of homeschool co-op classes. He has worked so hard to overcome a reading "difference" (orthographic processing disorder) and is starting to read fluently. He works ten times harder to get the work done than a typical student, but he never quits. He's even starting to believe that he IS smart! I pray that the transition to middle school work will go well for him, and that he'll be a good example to his peers.

Mostly, I pray that my sons will become like mighty oaks - living to show God's splendor to the people in their lives. After all, we live not for ourselves, but so others can discover love and hope in their own relationship with Jesus. Nathan, shine that light! Ben, show the world that there is nothing in this world that God can't conquer. Dear God, please cover them in your grace, love and strength in all that they face this year.