In December, I went with my husband to a medical center for a biopsy because there was some question about his prostate and how well it was functioning. While he was in recovery, the doctor came to tell me the results of the tests and mentioned that Jim's prostate was very enlarged. When I asked what causes that, he said, "cancer or high testerone". Because Jim had just had another test showing low testosterone, I focused on the dreaded word in our culture, the big "C" or cancer. As I allowed that word to enter my brain, it was like everything began to move in slow motion. As I explained to Jim on the way home what the doctor had told me while he was in recovery, we both realized that this was probably cancer. Sure enough, when the doctor called us with the results of the biopsy several days later, the results were positive for cancer. As Jim hung up the phone after hearing the results, his first words were "I know God is in control." That was very comforting to me that he was understanding this was no surprise to God and that we are in His hands.
Weeks later, many tests and dr. visits later, we are just about to a decision on the treatment for Jim's cancer, what seems to be best for him in his situation. The whole idea of peace when my world was turned upside down seems preposterous but that is what I have. Jim's further words this week were that besides reiterating that he knows God is in control, he accepts the fact that this is where God has him at this point in time.
The Scripture verse that came to my mind was Romans 8:28 "We know that ALL things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Whatever God is doing through this cancer, He will work it out for good for us because we love Him and are called according to His purpose.
I guess my bottom line is that God has give me peace in spite of my world being turned upside down. The great thing is that He offers you the same thing when your world is turned upside down.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Paper overload from Sunday School
I started adding up how much paper we are sending home with a family who has 3 children in the elementary area and 1 in the preschool. It made me feel bad that I am contributing to paper overload for this family, so am wondering how to best go about changing that.
Three children in our elementary area in both 9:15 and 11:00 hours of Sunday School means that we are sending home 3 copies of a 9:15 monthly newsletter and 3 copies of an 11:00 monthly newsletter and 3 weekly copies of the Bible lesson for parents to read with their children before the lesson is taught on Sunday. The preschool child brings home a paper each week. That is 24 pieces of paper per month! This family really only needs (1) 9:15 monthly newsletter and (1) 11:00 monthly newsletter and 4 weekly papers that give the Bible lesson to read with their elementary children before Sunday and 4 weekly preschool papers. That is still 10 pieces of paper per month - but it's much more manageable than 24.
This all sounded so good last summer but it's not working out as well as we had hoped. We want to encourage all our parents to read the Sunday School Bible lesson with their children at home before the lesson on Sunday. This gives parents a chance to have first crack at discussing the lesson with their children BEFORE the Sunday School teacher teaches the lesson to the children. It is one way to give parents an opportunity to spiritually impact their children at home by reading and talking about the Bible lessons together.
Kari, Connie and I have been talking about this paper overload and wondering if this is working for you parents. If not, we are open to any suggestions. One thought was to put 1 set of these monthly papers in your mailbox at church or you can go online and print them out for yourself. Or, we can just leave them on the counter in the LIFE Center Lobby and at the Welcome Center by Sandy's office for parents only to pick up these papers and not pass them out in class. What would work best for your family? I would love to hear from you. Have these papers been useful to you at all? Do you read them? Or are we just contributing to your paper overload?
Three children in our elementary area in both 9:15 and 11:00 hours of Sunday School means that we are sending home 3 copies of a 9:15 monthly newsletter and 3 copies of an 11:00 monthly newsletter and 3 weekly copies of the Bible lesson for parents to read with their children before the lesson is taught on Sunday. The preschool child brings home a paper each week. That is 24 pieces of paper per month! This family really only needs (1) 9:15 monthly newsletter and (1) 11:00 monthly newsletter and 4 weekly papers that give the Bible lesson to read with their elementary children before Sunday and 4 weekly preschool papers. That is still 10 pieces of paper per month - but it's much more manageable than 24.
This all sounded so good last summer but it's not working out as well as we had hoped. We want to encourage all our parents to read the Sunday School Bible lesson with their children at home before the lesson on Sunday. This gives parents a chance to have first crack at discussing the lesson with their children BEFORE the Sunday School teacher teaches the lesson to the children. It is one way to give parents an opportunity to spiritually impact their children at home by reading and talking about the Bible lessons together.
Kari, Connie and I have been talking about this paper overload and wondering if this is working for you parents. If not, we are open to any suggestions. One thought was to put 1 set of these monthly papers in your mailbox at church or you can go online and print them out for yourself. Or, we can just leave them on the counter in the LIFE Center Lobby and at the Welcome Center by Sandy's office for parents only to pick up these papers and not pass them out in class. What would work best for your family? I would love to hear from you. Have these papers been useful to you at all? Do you read them? Or are we just contributing to your paper overload?
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