The last decade - the next few years

2006 was the year things started to change.  Mike and I both felt the pull to start attending church again, something neither of us had done since we were young.  After several months at the Goddard United Methodist Church, we became members.  This new church family would become our core group of friends and through the activities and people, we began to see where God had been working in our lives.

We both found Sunday school classes that we liked, and eventually got more involved in other events, like Wednesday night worship, small group on Thursday, and taking on leadership roles.  Holley had an amazing children's pastor and she loved going to church.  Often, as soon as we were in the door she took off to a class or to play with other kids, and we might not see her again for hours.  Getting Rebecca to even walk into the doors was another story altogether.  Her views are a mix of influences from many places, but none of which build a trusting and loving life, in fact resentment, resistance, lying and doubt seem to be the pervading theme that she chose to live by.  I won't go into the depths of personal issues, but there were many and they were deep and the more we sought to understand and live our lives in a Godly way, the more she did the opposite.

Work for Mike had also changed.  Our beloved friend and Chief of Police in Goddard for many years passed away leaving a empty space in hearts and in the community that would not be filled.  The political changes in the police department would not be good and ultimately drove off the officers who cared about doing a good job.  What was left is not worth talking about.  I can't adequately describe this kind of stress, but it becomes unbearable to the point that it affects home and family and all aspects of your life.  So we evaluated our situation and decided that we could afford for Mike to leave the department.  It would be very tight and he would need to find something else, but it was better than living with the anger and abuse he was subjected to.  So in March of 2007, he resigned.

A mission trip to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky had already been planned and he went on that trip, which was a great experience for him.  That, combined with the relief of leaving a job he had not liked for close to a year brought about the beginning of good changes for all of us.  God's timing is interesting, to say the least!

The last decade - 5 years ago

2005 doesn't really seem that long ago, until I try to remember anything about it.  Is that a sign of age? Or something worse? There was a really big ice storm to kick off the year.  Can't say I miss that at all.

It was a good year.  We had several family trips and the Land Cruiser was becoming a "serious"  4-wheeling vehicle.  These pictures are from Disney, OK on South Grand Lake.  This has been one of our favorite places to go: good camping spots, trails for all abilities, rocks, little mud, other stuff nearby (the lake, small town for groceries and supplies, and a good Catfish diner - Crosby's).  Holley is almost 3 and loves being outdoors where she can run freely.  Even today she is hard to keep track of - she knows no boundaries!

Beautiful fall colors in Oklahoma

Becca is a Sophomore in the fall, got her first car which was an Oldsmobile that was passed from her Great-grandmother to Bruce, to Lionel, and to Becca (4 generations!)  Unfortunately, she would be the last to drive it.  Mike and I were at the store on Harry St. when we got the call that she rolled it, on a dirt road near her mother's farm in Valley Center.  I don't need to tell anyone what kind of bat Mike was driving like to get there... but in the end she was not physically hurt, just shaken.  The A-pillar on the driver's side is crushed, but protected her.  Judging from the distance between where she left the road taking out some posts, to where she landed, she was going pretty fast when she lost control.  So thankful God was with her.

At work, I am supporting a different and very challenging client, while also doing the bookkeeping for the store. (Pretty sure I skipped the part where we bought a model train Hobby Store...).  Mike is still working part-time in Goddard and also at the store which will be closing soon.  We can make ends meet, but looking back it was obvious that were were still lacking direction from a better driver.

It has been a while...

since I posted, obviously.  Life was going on and more important at the time.  On February 18 I was told that my position was being eliminated.  Not a complete surprise, but a disappointment in the overall leadership strategy (or lack thereof) given the priorities and activities of the client project I was involved in.

Honestly, I also felt relief for many reasons I won't go into, but not the typical fear and worry that comes with that kind of news.  Instead, I talked to my husband and we both agreed - knew - that God was with us and would stand by us through whatever will come.  Too many things had to fall into place "just so" to bring us where we are, and none of it was chance, so our faith is telling us that God has greater plans for us.

It has been 8 weeks since my departure and I have had several leads and even a couple of interviews, but nothing solid, though I did get a promising phone call today!  Mike is also actively looking to get back into insurance appraisals.  His heart is just not in law enforcement any more.  That is fine with me.

Becca and Shawn broke up, for good this time.  Things had not been good for a while and she decided she needed to change things.  For the first time, she has made a move on her own, and is breaking away from the dependency that seemed to dominate her for so long.    For that, I am very proud of her and want only the best for her in whatever she ends up doing.  She is in NJ, a place she really loved when she was there.  We hope that makes her happy.

I will continue the 10-year journey soon, and also add updates of a more fun and interesting nature.  Until then.