Giving Thanks in the Midst of Pain

While I still don't have any answers,

to so many questions ...

why ???

when ???

what can I do ???

how long, oh Lord ???

while there haven't been any breakthroughs

in all of the TOUGH situations we are walking through ...

while my heart is still broken,

and tears continue to flow ...

(read my last post for Prayer Requests)

I want to REJOICE that the LORD has BLESSED

Hosanna and Ben with new friendships !!!

The past 3 years have been the loneliest ever

for our whole family (those living at home).

We lost friends when I lost my job,

and the homeschool program that I created and directed 

went through a major transition.

We lost many friends when we made the 

decision to disrupt the adoption of our son,

We lost friends when we moved to the island.

We lost all of our island friends 

when we had to leave the island abruptly.

Not only did Jim and I lose our friends,

but our kids lost all of their friends, as well.

So, I am REJOICING that the LORD has opened

new doors for friendship for Ben & Hosanna.

Hosanna recently completed performances for the

high school musical, "Once Upon A Mattress".

During the 4 months of rehearsals, I kept praying that she

would make some new friends.  Sadly, she kept reporting

back to me when I asked, "Did you talk to anyone today?"

"No.  Not really."  I was sure that the situation was only

adding to the loneliness ... surrounded by people,

but making no friends.

During the 2 weeks of performances, though, suddenly she

had invites left and right to go places ...

. . . to parties.

. . . to overnighters.

. . . to Dairy Queen.

I was so afraid that after the last performance,

the new "friends" would disappear.

Oh. My. No.

Hosanna's social life is FULL,

for the first time in MANY years.

This weekend ...

A Friday Night Overnighter with the Track Girls

A Saturday Night Party with the Musical Girls

A Sunday Afternoon outing to another local school's musical,

with another group of girls from her musical.

Yes.  

The LORD has answered Mama's Prayers for Hosanna.

Ben, also, is reaching out and making friends on the Track Team.

He had 8 guys over last night after their first Track Meet,

while the girls had an overnighter across town,

and the boys played quite the prank on the girls.

Our teens are EXCITED to invite friends over to our

Newly Decorated Family Room,

with our 52" t.v. and Kinect Game.

We are so THANKFUL that the LORD provided for us

last fall, to do all of the redecorating/reorganizing.

So ...

yes ...

in the midst of deep PAIN ...

Mama is taking time to ... 

PRAISE and THANK the LORD.