Driven...

Hello All!! Well, it's supposed to be spring tomorrow, but snow is in our forecast, so, blahhhh!! Our oldest three kids went to a Youth Group weekend two weeks ago and we were also a "host family" of middle school girls. It was fun to host the girls and the three adult volunteers, as well as hear what The Lord had to say to our kids. And the topic was "Driven..what drives you"? And that has been on my heart a lot lately. I heard a sermon yesterday, per pod-cast, as Claire's bowel issues have become quite restrictive, and it had the same theme; "What about you is uncommon by the world's standards"? So I ask you....what drives you? No, really, answers please. I would LOVE to hear what really gets you going. What makes your heart beat fast? What is going on in your life that you CAN'T not share with others? Is it something that will last for all of eternity? And if you don't have an answer to this question, I challenge you to spend time asking God what He created you to do. Because believe me, He created you with a gift and ability and passion for something BIG!!! Are you geeked up when you get to pray for someone? Are you excited when you get to walk along someone that needs and will heed Godly advice? Are you encouraging others to see past today and this circumstance into what God has for them and how He will use this? Can you spend time with someone that doesn't have a lot of friends and have a great day? Can you take your limited resources and show up at someone's house and bless their socks off when they are in need? You see, I just described to you some of my friends. And being with them is contagious! I want to be like that!! I want to make a difference like that!! Melissa Miller, Meagan Truax, Sarah Powell, Janna Alkire, Bambi Rockhold....these are people that DO what God has asked and gifted them to do and they do it with genuine love and sincerity. AND IT SHOWS!! Friends, the time is NOW to go do what God asks us to do! The excuses are all LAME when we try to convince ourselves and others that we are too.....busy...financially strapped...shy....ill-equipped...young...old...NOTHING is lacking when God directs you. He is more than enough for whatever you are facing! Praise God!! (I think you all know what I am driven and passionate about) :-) Claire is doing great. She is the sweetest girl! Her hair is getting so long and she still won't wear a headband or bow.....poor me :-(. This truly is heartbreaking for me. However, she has been dealing with horrific diarrhea for quite some time. We have had two rounds of stool samples, taken away all dairy and juices, added probiotics, and just yesterday fiber, going low grease, and lots of yogurt. And she still goes through two-four outfits a day. It has gotten to the point that we can't leave the house that much because we have to be where we can change her quickly and that usually means clothes. I had to cancel her outstanding therapy appointments, too. So today she had some labs drawn and we are awaiting a call to get into the GI specialist sooner than our scheduled appointment. Our sweet pediatrician wonders if this is not a side-effect of her grossly lacking first 4+ years of life nutritionally and the fact that now she is finally nourished. We'll see. Please pray that the source of this is found easily and remedied quickly. I think it is finally starting to affect her in that she has gotten to be a lot fussier than usual in the last week or so. Who can blame her?? All the other kids are great. Ready for warm weather and loving the longer daylight. I hope that each of you and your family's are well. Love and hugs to all. I truly do hope that I hear from you as you share your passions with me. Leslie