My Son is How Old???

A very long time ago my dad made the statement, "you know you're getting old when your kids start getting old!"  I think it was when I was about the age my son turns today!   (He's the one on the far right of the pic)

Now, all these years later --- I realize even more how right my dad was!   :)

Today, at precisely 1:15pm my son will turn 38 years old!

No matter how old I grow, I will always remember that day as if it was yesterday.

I was 20 years old.  He was supposed to be due on April 8th.   All during my pregnancy I had been trying to tell the doctors how very large babies run in my family.  I weighed 10 pounds and my 3 younger brothers weighed in more and more till one topped out at 12 pounds 1 ounce ---- yes ---- at newborn weight!!!!

No doctors would believe me --- until that day!  As I labored and labored with not much progress they finally decided it was time to do a Csection.  But just as the prep started the monitor attached to Ryan showed his heart completely stop.  No time for surgery and off to the delivery room we went.  I had no idea what was really happening and only remember sheer terror going through my mind.

It took 4 doctors and 3 nurses to "deliver" him -- with the main doctor shouting about how he'd never seen a baby this big (a real help to my terror)!!!!!

I only caught a glimpse of Ryan as they hurried him to an incubator -- he was as blue as the sky.  He spent a few hours there.  When everyone was assured he was fine they brought him to me.  He was beautiful beyond words -- just a couple of marks along his forehead from the forceps.  And yes -- he was big --- 10 pounds 6 ounces and nearly 22 inches long!

And now ---- he is 38 years old --- quite a few inches over 6 feet tall and still as beautiful and still as perfect as that day!

Ryan --- I love you with all my heart and am so proud of the amazing man you have become!!!!

God truly blessed me that day --- and every day since then.

Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!               Mom and Monty

Scarred but stronger

Life is so unchanging --- and I am so thankful that God is my constant factor!!!

Life is better, took a new turn, a hopefully good one --- one that will last.

Many thanks for your prayers --- you have NO idea the power they held!

God just kept putting this line in my spirit -- "give it the weekend"    ---- I had no idea why but decided to listen.  I gave it the weekend and when a huge crash came that I didn't expect and totally blindsided me --- I still gave it the weekend and ---- low and behold --- Monday morning brought new life, new hope, new encouragement and yes -- God!


"Come and make all things new . . ." is a line from a great song.
"You've got to face the clouds to find the silver lining . . ." is another.
"Broken hearts become brand new . . ." is yet another.

God inspired those songs -- and many more.  Listening to Christian music has always been sort of a life line for me and I encourage you to really listen to the words being sung.  Truth!  Something not easy to find these days!

One a totally different note --- I have managed to "clean house" on my bus by refusing to transport those middle school and high school students who are not assigned to ride my bus!  Wasn't easy but nothing worth while ever is I guess.  I have about 20 less students (all the trouble makers) and just yesterday I heard this comment on the bus, "this bus is just too quiet now!"  No -- it's never too quiet but it's the way it should be!

God works in mysterious ways and I will continue to stand on His promises, His Word -- knowing it's truth and I can trust it.  Truth and Trust --- so precious to all of us!

Until next time . . . what are you standing on?                       Susan and Monty

Questioning . . .

I find myself questioning things in life I never thought I would question.

I find myself feeling so many things I never thought I would feel.

I find myself in a place I never thought I would be.

I find myself unsure of so many things I thought were sure things.

I find myself wondering what God is trying to teach me, where is He leading me?

Questions without answers . . . atleast for today!

Until next time . . . I pray to hear God's voice just a bit clearer and a bit louder!           Susan

Gut Honesty

"What if Your blessings comes through rain drops . . .
What if  Your healing comes through tears . . ."

These are lines from one of my favorite songs.

Gut honesty tells me to ask you all to pray for us, both of us.  You don't need details, just prayers for healing, peace and wisdom.

God says if we ask He will answer and "where two or more are gathered . . ." so I am standing on that promise (using a cane to hold me up) and hope you will join in that "two or more".

Thank you and bless you.                           Susan and Monty

Starting over

After going for 27 days with no discipline slips - no one kicked off - the streak has ended.

It was an amazing record breaker  --  even the transportation department stands in amazement!  But like most good things -- they do come to an end.

Yesterday morning ended one "era" and has forced us to start over.

"Out of control" doesn't quite describe our morning!  My "needs medication" 7 year old just couldn't get it together thus --- off for 5 days this time!

Another one, who is diagnosed suicidal also, had taken her medication but it just wasn't working and by the time we arrived at school it took 3 adults to physically get her away from pounding her fists into the brick wall of the school and inside where she was safe!  It was both terrifying and tear jerking!  She is also a cutter -- she actually cuts herself (her wrists bear the marks) and is most likely one of the saddest situations I have seen to date.  She will be off the bus for a couple of days.

I also discovered that a family of 3 children -- all of which are problems -- are not even supposed to be on my bus!  They "don't want to ride" their scheduled bus so they just hop on mine!  I have informed their school and hopefully we will get them where they need to be.

Yesterday was one of those exhausting days for me, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.  Add a "biggie" from home and it was --- just tough!  My only recourse was to stand firm on God's word of "bringing all things to completion" and the "I can do anything through Him who gives me the strength" verses!

And not to my surprise --- this morning was better.  The kids are disappointed about their pending pizza party not happening but uplifted at the thought that we will start over and see what happens.  Home has settled and the rains were a refreshing change bringing more normal temps.

It was a good ride -- a great one -- one that changed the kids lives -- they realized they could actually be good -- and now we start over!

How many times in our lives have we wished we could start over?  Funny how God always gives us that "another chance" to do it right -- or atleast try to!

At the end of today it will be day 1   --- and I am excited to see just how good we all can be!

Until next time . . . God -- thanks for the Word of life -- literally!             Susan and Monty
PS    happy belated birthday to my mother in law, Judy!!!!!!  Love ya

Teacher = flu . . . Student = me

It's been a tough last couple of weeks.

Each year when Monty goes and gets his flu shot he asks if this is going to be the year I get one too.

My answer is always a resounding NO!  I did get one many, many years ago and was sick for 2 weeks afterwards!  Everyone said it wasn't the flu but . . .

Anyway, for the past 4 weeks I have bounced from a sore throat to ears to head congestion and back around the same circle.  Last Saturday it took a nasty turn and knocked me flat.  And it takes alot to knock me completely down!

Yes, the flu came pounding down and by the end of the same day Monty also had it.  Our symptoms have been similar yet different. 

It's the first Easter Sunday in as long as I can remember that I missed church.

I also missed work on Monday and Tuesday.  I did make it back yesterday, Monty still has not.

My bus kids remained good and our number of consecutive days is now 23 1/2.  They are thrilled to know we have 36 more to go to the end of the year!

Today we were to be boarding a plane and heading to California to officiate at the wedding of our dear friend, Scott and his new bride.  That isn't happening! 

The flu put and end to that trip and broke our hearts when we had to make the phone call to let him know.  It would have been so good to see all our team members from there and so have been honored to perform Scott's wedding. 

But we aren't going, he did find another pastor to do the wedding and we will continue to stay here and do the best we can to completely heal and get back to "normal" or whatever the meaning of that word is.

I have not enjoyed being a student of the flu -- and although I know God has the ultimate lesson in this whole ordeal --- I just don't like the homework!

Until next time . . . stay healthy and let's keep the good days rolling on the bus!          Susan and Monty