This Will be a Joy Strength Week

   This will be a JOY STRENGTH week, when I will have to dig deep and depend on the joy of the Lord...my daughter and her family are leaving for points east --- I have been blessed to have them here for almost a month. We've had both sheer joy moments, and joy strength ones --- with 9 1/2 yr. old Ryan, 7 yr. old Niko, and 2 yr. old Chase. I have learned some things about my grandchildren this week:

• They are all very sensitive boys, and need a lot of time investment.
• Ryan and Niko are very spiritually sensitive too. Last night Niko and I were watching a show on TV and he asked about someone on the show: Grandma, do you think they follow Jesus? I have loved watching Ryan sing the worship songs in church the weeks they've been here. What joy!
• They are all very good at things: Ryan and Niko are great draw-ers and have great imaginations; they love PS2; all the boys love music and can sing (that means carry a tune); Ryan likes to write; they love to do Karate and have great hand-eye coordination. Chase is the inquisitive, amazing ball of energy, with a heart-breaking smile and dimples.  
• Like all boys, they spend a lot of communication time making car, airplane, bomb, and gun sounds --- and other not-so-polite sounds!
• They all love the water, making water balloons, spraying the hoses, swimming in a pool.
• Both Ryan and Niko will talk seriously about life, their feelings, what they miss about Indonesia, and what's happening in their lives right now --- when out riding in the car with me.
• All the boys have been very good with Grandpa Marvin, playing balloons with him, and laughing with him. Chase is especially funny with Grandpa --- he never knew him before H.D. and he doesn't see disability.

   I have made note of special needs to pray for this month: new, good friends in the place they finally settle, ability to truly love themselves and accept themselves for who they are, that they would have more PEACEFUL times instead of FIGHTING times, that they would continue to grow in their knowledge of the Lord, and that they would be surrounded by a community of faith where they could mature and be part of a vibrant, healthy Body of Christ.
   More about their parents tomorrow.