The Twelve Days of No Power
On the twelfth day of no power, my true love gave to me
12 extension cords snaking,
11 packs of batteries
10 hours of daylight
9 candles burning
8 times through the drive thru
7 gallons of gasoline x2 (over and over)
6 times a day to check the system watch
5 windows open
4 times of takeout
Only 3 appliances at once
2 clotheslines for drying
And one generator cranking along
So, the next week, school buildings had their power restored and in-person school began again. Joy went on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Then, on Friday, we received notification that, along with the rising Covid cases nationally, Oklahoma county had also had a spike and reached "red alert, level one" . Thus, OKC schools moved to online learning only again. Sigh! This time, they let us know students wouldn’t return to the classroom until at least January. We made arrangements for Joy’s gait trainer to come home with her last Friday and we’re doing virtual school again. This has been the most frustrating school year ever! We really don’t know what the future will hold for Joyanna--but really we never did to begin with; we do know it is in the hands of our loving Lord. We have especially been praying for Him to make her path of life clear to us and we are trying to continually rest in His care.
She does seem to be doing well overall. Her teacher was faithful to put her in her gait trainer each day that she could. Joy was eager to begin walking each time. She was still getting flushed and her teacher would remove her when she did. We will try to get her in the gait trainer at home during the weeks ahead and see if she still passes out sometimes. Please pray that we have wisdom for the observation in this area.
While there has been some spike in Covid cases locally, we currently continue to plan to have Joy return with us to church services at the end of November. Please pray for wisdom for Ben for that juncture. Our Thanksgiving plans are seemingly not affected--so far. We will get together with family here in OKC; I’m so thankful we have no restrictions placed on our gatherings.
We spent time last week with my parents. They were between preaching engagements here in Oklahoma so they came and stayed with us for 4 ½ days. We enjoyed our time with them so much. My dad was recently able to go on a once-in-a-lifetime antelope hunt with my brothers and was able to kill a buck antelope. He was able to share the trip with us via photo and video. It was neat to hear about that. Granny played games with Ethan and helped him with his addition and subtraction flashcards on a couple of days. That was a nice break from Teacher Mommy for a change. My mom helped by fixing breakfast a couple of days while I got Joyanna ready to go to school. They also watched Ethan while Joyanna had a couple of appointments. It was a very laid-back time and we loved having them with us. Lord willing, we will get to travel to their house for Christmas in a just a few short weeks.
Many are starting to say that if we can just hold on, 2020 is almost over. But, we have no guarantee that 2021 will be any better. The future has always been and is still unknown. That’s why it’s just as important that we continue to put our trust in the One Who knows all things, including the future.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Let’s keep that scripture in mind as we look to Jesus for the future yet unknown. It will be worth it all!
When We See Christ
Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.
Refrain:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem – just go to Him in pray’r.
Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past,
We’ll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We’ll share the joys of heav’n – a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.