<BR>Dear hw,<P>Thank you for your prayers and leadership.You are more than an inspiration to all. You represent what tenacity is all about.I'll bet that you are the first name that comes to mind at prayer time for marriage restoration. I know it is true at my prayer time.<P>There are few in my life that encourage me to stand for my marriage. I can't get over how many people accept divorce.<P>I won't give up!!!<BR>(The enemy still attacks,hw.)<P>Yes, I have surrendered my husband and marriage to the Lord.<P>I know that He wants my marriage to work.<P>There are times---especially Friday evenings, when I feel some fear about possibly being without my husband for the rest of my life, but for the most part, I know in my heart that God has the perfect plan for my life, and it will be okay!!!<P>I spend as little time as possible at home- I work two jobs and do babysitting on the side.<P>When I am at home I spend all of my time reading,writing, praying, and getting to know God.<P>I'll be in touch from time to time to give you an update.<P>Yes, when I think of where I was at this time last year---the intense, heavy grieving, I am amazed at(and thankful for) God's Grace in my life.)<P>I am grateful to you, for the incredible gift you are, hw, through Christ our Lord.<BR>May you be BLESSED!<P>Jn

joy,<BR>so glad to hear from you and get an update. I was a way for the weekend. It was my 25th college reunion. I flew west and my roommate from college picked me up.<BR>We had a fantastic time. We actually did little of the college activities, but there were about 12 or so that had all been friendly and we just talked and talked. One of our friends was being honored for the distinquished career award, and we were all drawn because of that.<BR>We are tlaking about all going to Ireland in about three years together, that would be a ball.<P>It always strikes me how much of a different place God has me now as we have mentioned. If I had gone away like this two years ago, I would have worried all weekend what my h was doing, and would have been stressed the whole weekend. In stead I laughed and talked and praised God all weekend. I came back feeling so good, a little tired maybe. I was able to give some testimony to my roommate. She has always been an avid church goer and believes in God, but I don't think is saved or understands it, so I just talked. She listened but didn't say too much but I prayed that God would use it. Today she said I should not pass up an opportunity if I met someone and I said I couldn't do that though I understodd what she meant. She divorced her husband two years ago and is still bitter about him, and the divorce. He isn't very nice to her. <P>Staying in the Lord, is a challenge because yes, you are right the enemy attacks. In fact today, one of the guys that did come was a friend and we had dated a few times. He offered to drive me to the airport. I said that would be fun, but I came to spend the weekend with my roommate as well as the reunion, and I needed to go back with her. <P> I can't believe he meant anything by it other than to just be nice, but you never know and I wasn't going to put myself in that position for either of us. He is married also with 4 kids, one is only 5.<P>I really did want to spend the time with my roomamte as well. I told her afterwards and she said she would have been disappointed if I had accepted. I said I wouldn't of anyways.<P>So yes, there are many challenges every day, but we have the choice what we are going to do with them. I choose to stay in God and then when and if something like this comes up, I can more easily know what to do.<P>The thoughts and doubts in some ways are more challenging, becaus eit is so easy to see that there is a possibility that that is the way it could turn out. But I believe that God always finishes what He starts and for me He said "Put me in the middle of your marriage" I believe.<P>I'm glad to see you are busy, but be careful not just to bury it all in work. Open up to God and really let Him minister to you. Deal with the pain and give it to Him, hiding it will make you hold on to it longer. But I'm sure you know all that. The Lord is a strong tower of refuge..<P>Please do check in from time to time. You are often in my prayers and I like to hear how you are doing.<BR>God bless<BR>hw