Giving Thanks

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for everyone continuing to help us through the loss of my Mom. This Thanksgiving it was hard without my Mom. But by your prayers and by God's holy spirt, I strongly believe that that will get us by. Thanks for reading.

Love,

Devon

Teenage Sensibility

Devon is the wise one in our family. One question that he is always asking me is: "Are you mad at me?" We were driving last night and I asked him why he always asks me that question. I asked him if I was saying or doing something that made it seem that I was mad at him. He just answered, 'You're just so quiet.' I am realizing that it is perhaps my anxiety that unnerves him and he sees through this. I am sometime anxious and don't want to talk about it, so I get pensive, and he thinks I'm mad. Maybe I am, I don't know. Just leave to Devon to bring out the best in me, or leave it to Devon to help me see things as they are.

I was complaining to him during our walk and he told me, hey just get off your butt and do something about it, instead of complaining. Wise words.

God is using Devon to give me a gentle kick in the butt at times. I know that I do this for Devon too, but that's just what parents do by nature.

He notes when I am getting overly riled up and tells me so, in a sensible, in-your-face manner. The kind of comment that makes me consider it, because it is in-your-face, but loving.

We are finding that our God is true to His Word. He is faithful. Our sorrow and our trials are testing his promises.

BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) is especially helpful here. God's word is foundational and is living. These words are not just words sitting there on the printed page, but are words of life, words that you can count on. Sure, we stray and fall, but God's word remains even though we are unfaithful, He is faithful.

Our walks in the morning and time in the Word, I am finding are necessary for us to be building on God's solid rock. We fall, but He stands, sure as shootin.

nuff said,

Love,

Jon and Devon

Post Math Exit Exam

Devon said that he felt 'peaceful' as he took his Math Exit Exam. Now, this is not a word usually associated with a three hour, (I need to pass this to graduate) Math exam, but this is what he said.

We owe this to the prayers, support and encouragement of all of you.
Devon said that he read the question three times over prior to answering.
His independent study teacher, Mr. Holden, was the proctor for the test, so he felt very comfortable.

Devon is going into his 5th or 6th counseling session this week. He seems to be benifitting from the weekly time set aside 'just to talk'. Both of us will be meeting with the therapist next week (with his permission) so that she can share some things with me. Please pray for this.

The therapy that I attend has been helpful for me. It's good to get some feedback, just to talk and process.

We have had several losses recently in our family as Gail's Auntie Tye went to be with the Lord recently and also my Uncle Bill Tanaka who lived in Clovis. Ca. It was good to be with family.

My parents, Carl and Miko are leaving tonight to return to Anaheim. Their visit has been a blessing to the both of us. We will miss them.

We are grateful for your ongoing prayers. This upcoming Thanksgiving is our first holiday without Gail with us. I don't know how it will be for us. I would like to be especially thankful for what we do have, instead of cursing for what we don't. We'll see.....

The tentative plan now is to go serve meals @ St. Vincent De Paul in the city with brother Greg. Our family enjoyed doing this last year.

May your lives and hearts be filled with all of Christ's provision and goodness.

Love,

jon and devon

Math Exit Exam

Hi.

tomorrow @ 7:45 is Devon's Math Exit Exam. He and other students now have to pass the Math Exit Exam to graduate High School.

He came very close to passing it last year.

Please pray for peace tomorrow for Devon and all students trying to pass.

Devon is continuing to meet with a Christian counselor and he is benefitting from it as am I.

Mom and Dad Yoshimine are here to be with us for about 10 days which is a treat for us.

Love,

Jon and Devon