This has been a year of various struggles and stresses for our family. I am hesitant to innumerate them, however, because I know others have experienced the same, or worse.
James 1:2-4 says: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
These experiences have driven us even closer to one another, as a family; and closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. We recognize how dependent we are upon Him for our very breath. When all else fails, He is our Rock: unchanging, unfailing, unfaltering. We have so much for which to be thankful, in addition to our Eternal Hope and the love of family. Every dark cloud has had its silver lining.
With the loss of Howard’s accounting job in April, came the opportunity to reestablish A & A
Window Washing, with Samuel,(15), as his right-hand man. What a grand team they make, too! Samuel literally s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d into this new role, now nearly 6 feet tall. Recently, their business doubled when they inherited the clientele of a friend who moved out of Texas. Health concerns and weather have made work challenging at times; but, happy customers and Samuel’s faithful and willing disposition keep them pressing on.
Howard was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on his head and face in October, resulting in two surgeries and a chemotherapy lotion treatment, which has been quite painful. He awaits the follow-up appointment with his dermatologist, in hopes that this concludes the matter. Otherwise, over-all, we have been a fairly healthy family.
Another highlight of the year was celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary in October. We rejoice in each other’s love.
Andrea returned to Franklin, Kentucky at summer’s end and was subsequently asked to teach 1st and 2nd grades for the Mennonite Church School there. She has found her niche as a teacher and as a “Kentucky girl”. We miss her, of course; but, she graced us with her
presence for 10 days at year’s end and plans to return for 6 weeks this coming summer. Lauren has studied so hard and was rewarded with being accepted into the nursing program at McLennan Community College in Waco. She was one of 82, out of 1800 applicants. Charlotte and Fred have blessed us with grandson, Louis, and granddaughter, Laura, who will be 2
and 1 years old, respectively, in March. We are so happy to have them near enough to be involved in their lives. One of our greatest challenges has been how best to help Patrick. The
effects of his infantry service in Iraq have been devastating. He no longer lives at home, finds it difficult to keep a job, and is expecting a baby in May with his girlfriend, Alexandria. Prayers are appreciated. Just as Samuel is Howard’s “right-hand man”, so Micah is mine. I do not know what I would do without that boy! He is such a support to me and to Ethan. In his “spare” time, he is becoming proficient on his hammered dulcimer. In the Spring, Ethan experienced an unusually difficult time, with phantom pains, sleepless nights and a two-week hunger strike. It finally resolved itself, after numbers of doctor visits and a pulled tooth; and he gained back the 6 pounds he had lost. June brought the first seizure session in a year, with the heat. He had another breakthrough episode in December.
Yes, we still homeschool...although, perhaps not as structured and scheduled as I would prefer. Learning is happening and characters are forming. I am intrigued to watch each of them find their “specialties”. They are good readers and have each adopted the family’s bent for words. Joshua reminds me of Patrick at his age, with his deep-thinking and thought-provoking questions. He is a serious-minded lad.
Besides the obvious household duties and busyness with boys, I squeeze in a little rag-rugging,
writing and piano. Recently, Lauren & I began attending a small Jazzercise class out in the country, at a private residence. It has been the best thing! Due to our 4 left feet, we laughed so hard all the way home from our first session, we decided that, if nothing else, it was good for the dose of endorphins. Since then, we have untangled our feet enough to realize its other benefits. I am doing my best to overcome exhaustion, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. The exercise and some supplements are actually beginning to help. Unfortunately, there’s no replacement for sleep. Another worthwhile diversion and source of fellowship for this mostly housebound Mama has been my involvement with the social network known as “Facebook”. Many relationships have been rekindled there, as well as new friendships made. Slowly, but surely, I’m coming out of the “dark ages” and learning to use my computer. I’ve got some catch-up work to do on all our blogs.
As I type, the wind blows a chilly 18*. Thanks mostly to the effort of Charlotte’s Fred, we enjoy a greater measure of warmth than in previous winters from the gas log and skirting he installed for us. I can’t imagine a kinder or more attentive son-in-law.
Although filled with gratitude and hope, I have a rather ominous feeling about 2010. The times in which we live are precarious, tentative, fragile. It is a time to “watch and pray”.
"Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."(Mark14:38) "But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."(Luke21:36)"Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.”(Mark13:33)
In His love, Who first loved us,
Leslie, for all us Ainsworths
