Decisions decisions decisions….
by adustyframe ~ December 9th, 2008My husband’s parole officer did tell me on Friday that they were leaning towards keeping him. At least I wasn’t surprised when I got the call yesterday.
I had a tiny bit of hope that things would turn around but in the end, she stayed with her plan and has kept Lee in custody.
I spoke with Lee’s boss who said he’d see if they are allowed to give Lee a leave of absence, but we don’t know about that yet.
At this point, it’s an indefinite hold until she chooses some goals and things for Lee to accomplish.
I am of course not glad about this. I’m not happy. I truly wish he hadn’t broken his rule. I wish he still had his job! However, God has been very good to me. He’s given me a lot of peace.
I’m not freaking out yet! James and I have enough money for right now and I am looking at my options. I am praying for income that allows me to continue homeschooling.
I told my mom that I know without a doubt that homeschooling James is what God wants me to do so he’ll have to provide something for me that works around that. He will.
We have a great history of God taking care of us.
Lee is discouraged as you can imagine. He knows his choices caused this, but that doesn’t make it easier.
I will speak to the attorney to see if there is anything he can do. We have an outstanding bill with him so he’s not jumping up and down to help. Which I understand.
So what will happen? I don’t know. I’m just resting on the Lord and asking him to help me be wise and to follow his leading.
One night last week, before we knew what was going to happen, I went to bed and the verse,
“Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you” kept coming to my mind.
I said, “Ok Lord. I need some sustaining.” and he has done that for me very well.
I appreciate your prayers and kindness. I also appreciate those of you who are still praying for my husband and helping me carry this load.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Thanks for the update. I’ll keep praying for you guys. I know this is going to be another tough Christmas season. Love you!!!!
December 9th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Hi, I have never commented before, but just wanted to encourage you to not grow weary in doing good.
Your family has come so far, your husband isn’t perfect but he needs your love and encouragement. He could have gone into prison and been hardened and given up hope and not worked to be reconciled to you and to God.
I’m sure having you waiting for him, rooting him on to be transformed into what Christ has for him has been a huge source of strength and encouragement to him.
Don’t give up now! You don’t sound like you are, but I just wanted to encourage you onward. Christ is our anchor, but He gives us things that anchor our life to Him and He has given your husband you!
My father was in prison growing up so I feel for your family and hope and pray the best for you.
JC, thank you for commenting. I appreciate your comments especially because you’ve been there. I appreciate your encouragement.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
What a hard thing. I’m so sorry for all of you! I am praying for your encouragement and that this additional time in jail will be a refining fire in Lee’s life. I know that He will work all things for good. Even when they don’t look very good right now.
December 9th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Please don’t feel that we stop praying for you because of the situation. I fully understand your feelings! Know that I am lifting you up in prayer and know that God will do great things with this situation. And I also understand how tiring it is to be where you are! Hugs
Sarah
December 9th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I am praying for all of you.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for you. Honestly. I wouldn’t try.
But what an amazing example Lee just set for James! No one knew Lee broke one of his rules, right? But he told the proper people, knowing he would be punished. He did the right thing.
James has so long lived with the knowledge that his father did something wrong. Now, you have such a strong example of something he did right.
Lee should be proud – not of his initial error, obviously, but of the way he handled things, for the way he showed his son the way a man of God handles things.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I am praying for you and for your family! For a peace that transends all understanding.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I have been following your story and have been appalled at some of the comments (now that I think about it, there may have just been a small handful that really bothered me)left on a previous post (the one where you explain that Lee broke a rule).
I think that as Christians, we are absolutely the last people that should be judgmental. I don’t know your husband’s heart, but I do know that he is human–just like the rest of us. And having spent time in jail does not automatically mean that every mistake from here on out should be magnified and a testament to how he has not changed. He is just a man who will never be perfect (just like anyone else) and he will probably live the rest of his life and break more rules than he ever intended to.
Haven’t we all though?
The difference is that our mistakes and sins don’t usually have weighty consequences like his do right now.
What I wanted to tell you was not to let others’ negativity get you down. And I hope that you revel in this present trial (odd to say, I know). We are never more a testament to the mercy and glory of God than we are when we have no strength and power over our situations. God is going to take what Satan meant for harm and prove His power in ways that you never even anticipated.
My family and I send hugs to you and yours and prayers to God on your behalf.
“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
December 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
i KNOW you will survive this…and with your help James…
i’m worried for Lee..i know he regrets this….i believe he sabotaged himself..it’s easier to fail than work hard and fight and fight and fight the good fight…as much as you want to scream..(((((.and i’d recommend doing so…breaking pottery also helps…not the good stuff, but let IT OUT…god will hold your hand while you rant…he will listen……))))))) he must not lose hope…and that is where you come in…you’ve done a great job in the last few years and now we must continue, i am glad his boss is willing to consider a leave of abscence…maybe they’d be willing to write a nice letter to the parole officer…who knows..
good luck…and here’s praying that this may have a better outcome before the holidays..
Celina in canada
December 9th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Thanks for the update. Will keep praying. You’re right, the Lord provides. That’s the best promise ever.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
JC and Lady Why’s comments pretty much say it all. So I’ll just send you a cyber hug and say that you are in my prayers.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Oh my Lizzie…..I am just sick for you…of course I will continue to pray for all of you..I know it sounds crazzy but I feel like you are part of my family now. You have been a wonderful example of “being real”…sharing your burdens, your wisdom, the love and grace of Christ…I will continue to lift you up…..
December 9th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
It is good news that his boss will at least see if he can get a leave of absence. I am praying for you right now. I will share with my husband in the morning. HUGS for all three of you.
December 10th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Prayers and a hug.
Maybe you could teach piano lessons again? That would seem to be something that makes fairly good money. You could teach in other people’s homes and bring James if you don’t have a piano anymore, people might pay more for you to come there anyway, we do so much running around as a society!
December 10th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Oh…I forgot, I was just reading about creative ways to live on one income–tutor.com sounds especially promising:
http://ramblings-n-writings.blogspot.com/2008/12/surviving-on-one-income-creative-adding.html
One more idea that’s not on the list: tutor reading for real students in your area. Just hand out reading grade level tests (I recommend the NRRF test here: http://www.thephonicspage.org/On%20Reading/readinggradeleve.html ), and you’ll find more students than you can schedule if your local schools teach sight words (and most of them do.)
While my husband’s job allows me the luxury of being able to teach students for free, the need is great and the big companies charge $40 to $50 an hour, I’m very supportive of people who tutor at reasonable rates. It’s really simple to do, especially since you already know most of what to do because you taught James to read. Let me know if you want to give it a try, and I can give you some tips. You should be able to make $20 to $25 an hour, and it’s something you can do in your home or their home with James nearby.
December 10th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Prayers for all of you from us today. (((Hugs)))
December 10th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Still prayingfor all of you!
December 31st, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I homeschooled two Kindergartners/1st graders for a year while working a FT job and PT job, while my husband was in school/unemployed and then out of the state working. It can be done!
It was HARD, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible with Christ.
Truthfully, my biggest challenge was finding childcare for a school aged child during the day, since we couldn’t afford a private nanny and I had to work from 7 am- 6 pm, and also on Saturday. The second biggest challenge was that the boys couldn’t read independently, so they had to be helped with every assignment.
You CAN do it!