Spring Update

My, oh my! I can't believe how much has happened in the last few weeks. I have been so busy, I haven't even had time to post an update. First of all, I have been in instructor training school for the last 2 1/2 weeks and I passed! I can now go the the law enforcement acadamies and teach general instruction classes to new recruits, or in service classes to veterans. No, it doesn't mean more pay :(, but it is a good opportunity to spread my wings and get out of the office some. It also looks good on a resume if I ever decide to leave my current position. It was a grueling time, but well worth the effort. I can't wait for my first oppotunity to go teach, probably within the next month!

Joseph has now completed two weeks of his mandate and has survived. Aside from two black eyes, a bloody nose, the skin scraped off his head and very sore muscles, he's had no problems:) He has decided that he doesn't ever want to get into a fight because it hurts too much! I do have to say that in raising three boys, they never got into a fist fight with each other. They might have tussled around at times, but they never hurt each other. That was especially fortunate as they got bigger, because had they been fighters, they really could have hurt someone!!

Joseph has to shave his head totally bald every day. After the first day, it was quite sunburned (because he didn't listen to mom and put sunscreen on!), and so shaving was quite a painful experience. But I think he's learned and now uses sunscreen!

Sai is 24 weeks along and doing great! Makaila has really been moving of late and Sai is growing bigger and bigger. I can't believe it's only 3 more months! I'll have to get a picture and post it soon.

Michael is finished with his top secret project. He has started back with his football weight lifting regimen and is looking for a competition to go to. He will be coming home for a visit at the end of April. I can't wait to see him.

Brian is doing well. His team is currently ranked #6 in the nation for junior colleges. He has a .382 batting average and is doing great!

Mom and dad came over and went to the games at Georgia Perimeter last weekend. They are doing well and enjoyed getting to see Brian play. He almost hit a homerun. It hit off the top of left center field and he got a triple out of it! My brother, Larry and his son, Patrick also came. It was a beautiful day for a double header at the ballpark.

Dad's sister, Wilma has had some health problems of late and needs your prayers, as well as mom's sister, Cora. Her house was broken into and set on fire a few weeks ago. They are working to restore it, but it will probably take a while. As far as I know, they have not caught the guys who did it.

I enjoy hearing from you all, so keep in touch!

During this wonderful Easter season, take time to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice for us. His grace still amazes me!

Love ya,
Pam

SNOW!!!

I want to tell you a story. This is a love story that has so many lessons that I'm not sure words can convey them all. When the cold weather started coming this winter, Joseph told me he was hoping it would snow this year because Sai had never seen snow. Well, it never snowed. Last week he told me he wanted to surprise her and take her to the mountains to find some snow. I thought, "It's too late in the year", but I helped him find some hotels in Gatlinburg and off they went Friday night. We checked the weather and there was a 10% chance of snow, not very hopeful. When they got there Friday night he said he was hopeful they could drive around and find some snow, but the locals didn't know of anyplace with snow on the ground. He called me Saturday morning and asked me to check the Internet for the closest place with snow. Nothing was anywhere remotely close that had snow. They decided they would enjoy the day exploring the Smokey Mts. and have a good time even if they didn't find snow. He also was going to continue to search for the closest place and perhaps drive there today (Sunday).

He called first thing this morning and said he didn't think they were going to drive anywhere because the closest place he could find was Detroit, MI. I said, "Son, I don't think you can drive to Detroit and back in one day!" He knew I was kidding. Well, it wasn't much later when he called again and said, "Mom, you are not going to believe it. We went to leave the hotel and it snowed last night!" There was about 1/4 inch on the cars. While i was talking with him it really started coming down! I asked him what Sai thought and she was so excited!! She got on the phone and said "Mommy, it's snowing! It's so pretty!!" I said, "Yes, God sent your snow!" She was giggly and so excited, I started to tear up. We take so much for granted and to hear the pure, unadulterated joy in her voice made me weep. Joseph took a video and she is giggling, spinning in circles, skipping, running. It is just amazing.

Well, I suppose you're wondering where the love story comes in. After I hung up the phone, I was overwhelmed with God's love for His children. I thought, "If God cares about us enough to send snow when all weather forecasts said no chance, how much more does He care about our large problems?" Sai told us tonight that she had prayed and asked God on Thursday to let her see snow on this trip, and He did! Isn't He a sweet God? I can't begin to share how this touches my heart. I look around and see all the trouble and distress in the world, and then God sends snow. It's like He's sending snow to the earth to cover us in His love, to shower us with His blessings.

Then there's the love of a young man for his young bride. Joseph would have moved heaven and earth to give Sai the chance to experience snow. He could have looked at the weather channel and decided there wasn't a chance, so why bother? But, he went on faith, determined to share this experience with her. Because of his faithfulness and love for his wife and his God, God was faithful in return. This young man is my son!! I can't help but believe he's seen the love and care his dad has given me over the years and he wants to be the same kind of husband for his wife. This same dad who asked his youngest this weekend if he had prayed over a situation in his life, and then led him in prayer for God's wisdom and guidance in that situation. And that same son who called his mom this evening to ask her to pray for him. I am full to overflowing as I write this.

God is amazing. His love is overwhelming. His grace and mercy are incredible. So this love story is one that began "In the beginning" and continues to this day. How great the Father's love for us! God is good all the time and all the time, God is good.