This Week at Our House # 11

1. Well we heard nothing back from the job interview that John had last week, so I am sure that was another dead end. I guess we will just keep looking. John spends lots of time with the kids. He teaches Johnny and Kate math, he plays games with many of them, he draws with them, and he pushes Suzy on the swing. 
2. As I struggle with our situation, I often remind myself of the children of Israel in Numbers 13-14. Moses sent spies into the land they were to conquer. All but two of them came back saying that the people were strong and there was no way they could conquer them and their little children would be killed.They basically said, there was no way they could do what the Lord asked of them.The Lord's response was to punish them. He told them they could not go in and inherit the land. They then tried to take back their complaining and murmuring, but the Lord did not change His mind. He left them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, and then their little children who they complained would be killed, were the ones to conquer and receive the land for an inheritance. Faith and trust in the Lord really are expectations and prerequisites to blessings. I have struggled a lot with our situation recently. I am trying to have faith and to not murmur. I am trying to believe the Lord the many times He has whispered to us or told us in blessings that He would bring us out of this and that John would be able to support our family and that this long, hard trial will indeed come to an end.
3. Ruth turns 18 on Tuesday!!!! She has been tired a lot recently. I think early morning seminary and school wears her out. We have been applying for many jobs for her. Hopefully, Ruth will be employed soon too. The next step is to get her drivers license. Since we have only had the 15 passenger van or the breaking minivan, we have all been too intimidated to teach her to drive. But it has to happen now. The goal is for her to have her drivers license before she leaves for college in September and she is just going to have to learn to drive in a 15 passenger van.
4. Kate is very happy to be homeschooling. At first I was not sure about her choice, but the more time goes on, the happier I am about it. Kate has been taking walks with me to get some exercise in. I love having that time to talk to her.
5. Johnny reads scriptures to Joshua every night before bed and as a result, Josh just adores Johnny. In fact, Josh clings to Johnny and always wants to sit by him or on top of him.
6. Adam handed me a letter that said I love you from John and then later handed me another letter saying the first was a joke and not written by Dad. He also wrote another letter in code.
7. Rachel loves playing games these days. She asks me everyday to play a card game with her.
8. Anya started the letter writing game that the kids played for a couple of days. She wanted to be a messenger.
9. Joseph is ready for a vacation. He is having such a hard time doing any school work at all. I have to nag him a lot. Fortunately, spring break begins Easter weekend.
10. Joshua is getting a little better at going to bed. Since we moved here, he has not gotten to sleep before midnight. 
11. I think I can finally say that Arwen has a head full of hair. I have been waiting to say that for years.
12. My kids are reminding me to be a good mother to Suzy. She has been throwing screaming fits and just as I am about to give her what she wants, my kids remind me that is a bad idea and she should not get what she wants for screaming.