August has arrived!

August 25..... Move in day! Jaque's entire life has been such a wonderful journey. Making choices, good and bad, that have led her to the point of packing up and getting ready to branch off on her own. Understanding that she is a hour away, she will be in her own"place" in just a few short weeks. As a parent, you try to think of everything. Everything they need to live, to survive, to make good decisions.. Then, like the day before a big test, you start cramming more! Her class schedule is pretty much in place, and yes, she is nervous about it. Who wouldn't be, it's only the rest of your life. But I have tried to explain to her that she will do great. Half of the battle is being brave enough to roll out on give it a try. The biggest lesson I have learned these 21 + years is to keep God first in everything. When I try to control it, I mess it up. I overanalyzie it. When God leads, you have a conquering attitude, an attitude of knowing that whatever happens HE is there. JAQUE has had a great summer. She has made great new friends and really seems to know where she wans her life to be headed. It sounds crazy, but she seems so much like the " Jaque" we all know and love. I think that kids sometimes try and find their place in the world. They need to know who they are, and often that means trying to fit in to what surrounds them. This works fine .. But for those that listen closely, God just keeps pulling and saying.. More. More. I noticed the big change when Tim Tebow's book showed up in my house. laugh if you must. I am not talking about Tebow, the football player side, but the Christian man side. After a few bad choices in her life, people wise, Jaque made the decision to store the past and look forward to the future. Praying that God would not bring her "someone" specific. Just that God would put her life on his track. She has always been a Christian kid, but maturity comes in knowing that you are worthy of God's grace. She has been working with some young girls in our area on pitching, and that was the second change I saw in her. She became aware of the impact that your words have on young people. Not only their confidence for a sport, but in outlook for life. She became attached to each girl in a different way, and has loved every minute. Her light shines so bright, that I am blessed to say parents and coaches see it too. Not for her glory, but for the glory of her pitching students. Then, one day, she invited a friend to the lake. They had been trying to go fishing together, but it never worked out. So, to the lake we went. Many photos and videos later, what a great summer she has had. Who knows where this path will lead, I have faith that God's plan is working and when you can find two people that bring out the best in each other..... Count your blessings and thank God. He is such a great young man with a wonderful family and an awesome best friend!! Timing is everything, right? I have worked most of my life trying to set an example for Jaque. I have fallen short, but get up every morning trying to be the person that she will be proud of... I had made mistakes, but always wanted to live a life in a way that she could be lead by example. Her life has been about two sections, it seems. Before her accident, and after. When God speaks to your heart, listen. He is telling me that the third chapter has begun. I love the song by Randy Houser, "in God's time". I have mentioned it before, but it is worth everyone pulling it up on u tube. I know that walking is such a big but small part of Jaques complete healing that I have been praying for. God grabbing her heart, bringing someone in her life that is worthy for her and she is worthy for him, having true and honest friends, finding the path meant for her.... Those are miracles as well. I still have no doubt that her body is not done healing, she is truly a beautiful child. I have always told her the greatest anyone will achieve is the lowest of your expectations. I have set my expectations for her very high! Love your children and make sure the path you lay for them can be followed. If you are lecturing them for something, look at your own life and make sure you are living right. In the blink of an eye they can be gone, and you cannot bring them back. Live with no regrets. Make sure they know how proud of them you are, and how being imperfect is ok, God is the only perfect one I know. Do not let bitterness into your relationship. And most of all, say I am sorry when you mess up. My girl, living at college. Wow! I knew this day would come, and I will not cry, but I will rejoice in knowing she is ready! Each day, I wake up thinking I could not be more proud of her, crazy as she is.... And each night I thank the Lord she has surprised me again! Love you all, and thanks for the prayers!