It is so hard to believe that this coming Monday will be 5 months since Annette entered into the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Wow, what a season of life this has been! I want to give some updates on what’s going on with “The New Normal for the Lear Boys.” Now, in a home with special needs kids, we seldom use the word “normal,” because who determines what constitutes a “normal” child? But, I won’t get on that soapbox…for now.
Let me first just say thanks to all of you who continue to send messages, emails, texts, calls, cards and ESPECIALLY prayers. Even though I’m not able to respond to them all, I read them, and I continue to marvel at the support and love that God has brought into our lives…I am so blessed with friendship and family, and that alone seems to be the tool the Lord uses OFTEN to get me through many days.
The first three months without Annette seemed to find me doing what I tend to do so naturally, and that’s doing things. I am, by nature, a doer and a solver/fixer. So I did what any good man of strong faith would do who has this skill-set…I started trying to solve and fix all the things that were anxiously going through my mind! I received some excellent advice from folks who had gone through just what I had gone through, and I read much about how you shouldn’t make any major decisions for an extended period of time. Armed with this excellent advice and counsel, I basically crumpled it all up and filed it under: “I see your lips moving, but I’m not hearing what you’re saying.” This is a file that Annette was ALL too familiar with in my life’s file cabinet!
Then, somewhere around the end of the first three months, which is about the time that so many of those same great friends had told me I may hit a wall (though I didn’t believe that, either!)…I hit a wall. I was thinking to myself one Tuesday afternoon that it would be great to get away for a day or two and just spend some time praying and listening to God, but I knew it would be hard to do with the boys. Well, that Saturday morning, God let me know that He was going to give me two straight days alone with Him, and I didn’t even have to leave the house…or my room…or my bed. God used my time with the stomach bug to get my undivided attention. There was some incredible time of prayer over that two day stretch, prayer like I hadn’t been able to have since losing Annette. It seemed for the first three months, the only thing I could ask was that the Holy Spirit would intercede on my behalf, since I just couldn’t even think of what to pray for or about (other than my loneliness and the boys, of course). Those two days were needed so much more than I could’ve imagined!
In my last update, I shared about purchasing the Laundromat, which Annette and I had wanted to do a year earlier…well, the first thing that became so apparent to me during my weekend of stomach junk and clarity with the Lord, was that it was the absolute wrong decision. Psychologically, I think I was trying to take something that she and I had wanted together, and plug it into the here and now, thinking it would be like having a part of her here again. God made it clear to me that right now is the season for me to be Dad, Pastor and pretty much nothing else. I told God over that weekend that I didn’t care what it took, that I would get things simplified to those things I knew He wanted me using my time and energy to fulfill. I honestly do not have the emotional or physical ability right now to make any decisions outside of the required areas of my life. This was a very humbling experience for me to go through. Some of you may know that I come from a long line of hard-headedness…I mean I’ve got Lear, Polk, Miller, and Funkhouser, all mixed with a HUGE dose of straight-up Mt. Jackson, Shenandoah County, Virginia running through my veins!! BUT, this was a time to sit my boys down and explain that I had made an alright business decision at a completely wrong time, and that God was going to walk me/us through the process of fixing it. And He has, as today the sale of the Laundromat is being made official. I certainly won’t be winning the “Entrepreneur of the Year,” but I have a peace that is explainable only in and because of my obedience to Him!
One other area that God really gave me clarity about during our two-day session is my ministry. He clearly re-confirmed my calling, which I desperately needed. I was convinced that the time it took to raise my boys, all the appointments that I must attend, all the time required to just be present with them, were all too much for me to be able to continue in my position. I basically did not let the church be the Church. But after getting this re-confirmation of my calling to continue serving Him as a pastor, one of my best friends in this world, my Senior Pastor, Terry Felton, gave me some much needed advice: “chill out!” He may have thrown the word “idiot” in there, as well (yes, we have that awesome of a relationship!). He helped me see that even though it feels many weeks like I’m not able to be in the office as much as I would like, I’m getting done what the church’s expectations have always been of me. Now, Mason Dixon Baptist Church has had no expectations outside of me serving as God leads right now, these were expectations I put completely on myself. In case you missed it, you may need to refer to the above paragraph dealing with my hard-headedness. I’ve taken Terry’s advice, and I have chilled out, and MDBC has been the most loving, caring, church it could possibly be…they have been a model of what THE Church is supposed to be!
The boys and I are getting more and more settled into the new home, and we all love it. I am renting our old house out for a year, and then I’ll make a decision on what to do with it. The new home was a major decision, but one that I’m definitely okay with, and one that God has blessed us with tremendously. We look forward to many of you coming to see it and even stay with us, as there is plenty of space. The old place is hard to revisit, which surprised me, as I’ve never been one to tie emotional feelings to material things. Every time I step in that house, I see the colors that Annette and I picked out together, the flooring we chose together, and the rooms where we shared our thoughts, our dreams and our love together for 6-1/2 years. I will be moving many of the shrubs that we planted together to the new home, which I’m excited about!
There are many hard moments, many hard days, and some hard weeks. In this year of firsts without Annette, Easter Sunday was tough. I got through the morning okay, and had a great afternoon, as the world’s greatest Big Sis, Anissa Powers, brought her family up and fixed Easter lunch just like Annette would have done…she even made extras for leftovers AND my Nanny’s homemade Coconut Cake!! That afternoon, after Nesi, Matt and the boys had left, I was thumbing through Facebook. I was enjoying seeing all the family Easter pictures, and then the wave hit me, reminding me that I’d never have that again with Annette. The difference now is that when the waves hit me, I just deal with them. If I feel a cry coming on, I let it come. I am taking the advice of so much of the great material I’ve read on grieving, and I’m trying to do it well. The waves can hit at times like just last evening as I prepared Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans (that Annette canned last summer). This was one of our favorite meals to prepare together, and it turned out delicious, but I let the wave pass over me and thought of all the incredible memories we made cooking together, working in the yard together, watching mindless TV together, raising our boys together…it stinks, but it’s where life is now, and most importantly, it’s where God has me now!
I still do NOT like God’s plan right now, but I still ABSOLUTELY trust it. I know that He never makes mistakes. I know that His plans are always perfect. And I know He is still working His plan out in my life, which means as I follow Him, it will be perfect in Him. I still don’t understand the why, when and even what in the world…but I do understand that He loves me and desires nothing but the BEST for me and the boys. I still covet the prayers of you, my friends, acquaintances, and even strangers who know and love the Lord! You may not hear much from me throughout the month of May, as it was a big month with Annette…Mother’s Day, Annette’s birthday, our Anniversary (would have been 20 years), and Linden’s birthday. Yeah, it’ll be a tough month, but I know God will walk me through.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, ESV
Praying, Walking, Trusting…
Joey
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
100 Day Update...Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Today marks 100 days since I lost my best friend, confidant, co-laborer for Christ, lover, biggest supporter of my dreams, parenting partner and so much more. BUT, and most importantly, today marks 100 days since Annette entered the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ! I still don't like God's plan, but I still trust it completely.
So many of you have been praying for me and the boys constantly, and I continue to covet those prayers. There have been some rough days for me over the past few weeks. We celebrated Brian's 17th birthday, which was our first holiday type of day since losing Annette. There were lots of memories stirred as we prepared to move into our new home...great memories, but almost proportional is the hurt of just plain missing her. There was the stack of pictures that we used at the Memorial Service in December that I hadn't put away yet but then found as I began packing the garage up last week. Then, today, I was struck by the memories of all the special things Annette did for Brian's classrooms over the years as they celebrated the 100th day of school...the cupcakes made, the silly games they played, and just her love for being able to be a part of the boys' lives and schools. There was the constant excitement over seeing the painting, flooring and decorating come together and wanting to call her to tell her all about the daily changes in the new house.
There have been more and more smiles and laughter happening within our family, and we talk about Annette (mom) often. We thank God often as we pray together that we had such a great life with her, and that we will all three continue to adjust well to life without her here.
Your patience with me is greatly appreciated as I continue to try to find my stride and focus again. I am a "cope by doing" personality by nature, though I'm really trying to slow down now that these big transitions have (hopefully) hit their climaxes. I am constantly trying to "be still and know that He is God." I still struggle with even knowing how exactly to pray for much of what is going on in life and in my spirit. I hold on to Romans 8:26-28, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (ESV)
If you are traveling anywhere near the Lear Boys, we would love for you to stop by and visit!
Until the next update, Joey
So many of you have been praying for me and the boys constantly, and I continue to covet those prayers. There have been some rough days for me over the past few weeks. We celebrated Brian's 17th birthday, which was our first holiday type of day since losing Annette. There were lots of memories stirred as we prepared to move into our new home...great memories, but almost proportional is the hurt of just plain missing her. There was the stack of pictures that we used at the Memorial Service in December that I hadn't put away yet but then found as I began packing the garage up last week. Then, today, I was struck by the memories of all the special things Annette did for Brian's classrooms over the years as they celebrated the 100th day of school...the cupcakes made, the silly games they played, and just her love for being able to be a part of the boys' lives and schools. There was the constant excitement over seeing the painting, flooring and decorating come together and wanting to call her to tell her all about the daily changes in the new house.
There have been more and more smiles and laughter happening within our family, and we talk about Annette (mom) often. We thank God often as we pray together that we had such a great life with her, and that we will all three continue to adjust well to life without her here.
Your patience with me is greatly appreciated as I continue to try to find my stride and focus again. I am a "cope by doing" personality by nature, though I'm really trying to slow down now that these big transitions have (hopefully) hit their climaxes. I am constantly trying to "be still and know that He is God." I still struggle with even knowing how exactly to pray for much of what is going on in life and in my spirit. I hold on to Romans 8:26-28, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (ESV)
If you are traveling anywhere near the Lear Boys, we would love for you to stop by and visit!
Until the next update, Joey
Thursday, January 30, 2014
52 Days ago...
It’s now been 52 days since my sweet Annette went to be with Jesus. In some respects, it seems like it was yesterday when we said “I love you” to one another, for one last time, in the Youth Room at MDBC while waiting for the paramedics to arrive. In other ways, it seems like it has been years since I was able to put my arms around Annette; to take our regular Friday date day and talk about life over lunch at Chipotle; to lay in bed at night and just laugh about something ridiculous one of the boys said or did; to worship and serve our Lord together…I’m sure you get the point.
I cannot express in words (or effectively in any other manner) my thanks for the MANY meals, gift cards for meals out, hugs, texts, emails, Facebook messages, and most importantly, prayers on behalf of me and the boys. We are all three doing well overall, and there have been some truly touching and sincere conversations between the three of us. This, in and of itself, is quite an accomplishment for those of you who know my boys, and it’s a real blessing from the Lord to be able to share His Word and to just remember the MANY memories we have of Annette.
I have been doing well as I continue to adjust to life as I now know it. Most days, the memories that flash through my mind of my sweet little lady are ones that bring a smile to my face, like an 80’s power ballad on the radio that we would belt out together. Today, however, was one of those days that tested me. I was working on completing reimbursements that had been piling up since early December in my office, and as I turned a page, there was the sign-up sheet for our Youth Christmas Outing, which took place on Saturday, December 7, the night before Annette's aneurysm. Annette’s name was second under mine at the top of the list where we typically signed. I sat there for a good three minutes and just stared at her name. I sat there and remembered the awesome time we had with 40 of our best friends/youth from MDBC as we went to Ryan’s Buffet (or “the Trough,” as Annette called it!) and caroling to many of our widows/shut-ins from MDBC. Annette was driving one of the vans, and as we left the last house, we drove around a roundabout. The normal once around wasn’t enough for her, and two times were not enough...Annette proceeded around for a third time, and I could see her laughing like crazy from my van. What an awesome thing she spent her last night on this earth doing…fellowship with great friends, worshiping God by singing songs about Him to those who have lost those closest to them, and just finding fun in the simple-ness of life! It was just like Annette to be concerned about others, to want to spend time with those she was closest to in His name, and to have some spontaneous fun driving around a roundabout like she was dipping into turn four at Bristol Motor Speedway!!! After I had a nice, long cry, I prayed and once again thanked God for the time that He allowed me to have with this incredible lady. I miss her like crazy, but God is bringing glimpses of joy back into my life, and I know that He will continue until my full joy is restored!
Finally, I want to make sure folks have the correct information about the most recent venture for me and the boys. Last Saturday, we went and checked out a foreclosed house in a nearby development (Logan’s Reserve, for our local friends). The boys loved it (as did I), and I decided to put in an offer, which, to my surprise, was accepted!! The home is less than 8 years old, and just needs paint and some flooring replaced. The boys are busy telling EVERYONE that we’re moving, usually leaving off the part about “just to another house in the area.” Sorry if they got anyone riled up! God is so good, and He continues to offer grace sufficient for each day. I have been evaluating a LOT recently about what He has done in my life for the first 43 years, and I am truly excited about what He has in store for the next phase of life. I purpose to live my life for Him whatever the journey, to enjoy every day, and to do all I can so that one day I will hear, as my sweet Annette and her incredible dad, Linden, have already heard, “well done, good and faithful servant!”
Thanks again for all you are doing for us! MDBC, thanks for being the church that you are called to be, and for providing enough food to feed a third world country! Pastor Terry Felton, my Senior Pastor (ten years my junior!), and one of my best friends is leading MDBC exceptionally well through this season. I received a special surprise from our good friends at Stewartstown Baptist today, as they delivered a container full of packages of candy bars, some fresh baked cookies, and a BUNCH of cards from their members. The coolest thing was the huge stack of homemade cards that their Awana Clubbers wrote and colored for us…some of it was not necessarily the stuff of theological textbooks, but what a great feeling it was to read the prayers of these precious children on behalf of me and the boys…good job Pastor Lee Peoples!!
Until our next update…
Joey
I cannot express in words (or effectively in any other manner) my thanks for the MANY meals, gift cards for meals out, hugs, texts, emails, Facebook messages, and most importantly, prayers on behalf of me and the boys. We are all three doing well overall, and there have been some truly touching and sincere conversations between the three of us. This, in and of itself, is quite an accomplishment for those of you who know my boys, and it’s a real blessing from the Lord to be able to share His Word and to just remember the MANY memories we have of Annette.
I have been doing well as I continue to adjust to life as I now know it. Most days, the memories that flash through my mind of my sweet little lady are ones that bring a smile to my face, like an 80’s power ballad on the radio that we would belt out together. Today, however, was one of those days that tested me. I was working on completing reimbursements that had been piling up since early December in my office, and as I turned a page, there was the sign-up sheet for our Youth Christmas Outing, which took place on Saturday, December 7, the night before Annette's aneurysm. Annette’s name was second under mine at the top of the list where we typically signed. I sat there for a good three minutes and just stared at her name. I sat there and remembered the awesome time we had with 40 of our best friends/youth from MDBC as we went to Ryan’s Buffet (or “the Trough,” as Annette called it!) and caroling to many of our widows/shut-ins from MDBC. Annette was driving one of the vans, and as we left the last house, we drove around a roundabout. The normal once around wasn’t enough for her, and two times were not enough...Annette proceeded around for a third time, and I could see her laughing like crazy from my van. What an awesome thing she spent her last night on this earth doing…fellowship with great friends, worshiping God by singing songs about Him to those who have lost those closest to them, and just finding fun in the simple-ness of life! It was just like Annette to be concerned about others, to want to spend time with those she was closest to in His name, and to have some spontaneous fun driving around a roundabout like she was dipping into turn four at Bristol Motor Speedway!!! After I had a nice, long cry, I prayed and once again thanked God for the time that He allowed me to have with this incredible lady. I miss her like crazy, but God is bringing glimpses of joy back into my life, and I know that He will continue until my full joy is restored!
Finally, I want to make sure folks have the correct information about the most recent venture for me and the boys. Last Saturday, we went and checked out a foreclosed house in a nearby development (Logan’s Reserve, for our local friends). The boys loved it (as did I), and I decided to put in an offer, which, to my surprise, was accepted!! The home is less than 8 years old, and just needs paint and some flooring replaced. The boys are busy telling EVERYONE that we’re moving, usually leaving off the part about “just to another house in the area.” Sorry if they got anyone riled up! God is so good, and He continues to offer grace sufficient for each day. I have been evaluating a LOT recently about what He has done in my life for the first 43 years, and I am truly excited about what He has in store for the next phase of life. I purpose to live my life for Him whatever the journey, to enjoy every day, and to do all I can so that one day I will hear, as my sweet Annette and her incredible dad, Linden, have already heard, “well done, good and faithful servant!”
Thanks again for all you are doing for us! MDBC, thanks for being the church that you are called to be, and for providing enough food to feed a third world country! Pastor Terry Felton, my Senior Pastor (ten years my junior!), and one of my best friends is leading MDBC exceptionally well through this season. I received a special surprise from our good friends at Stewartstown Baptist today, as they delivered a container full of packages of candy bars, some fresh baked cookies, and a BUNCH of cards from their members. The coolest thing was the huge stack of homemade cards that their Awana Clubbers wrote and colored for us…some of it was not necessarily the stuff of theological textbooks, but what a great feeling it was to read the prayers of these precious children on behalf of me and the boys…good job Pastor Lee Peoples!!
Until our next update…
Joey
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
If You Care to Know What I Think...
No, I didn’t watch the VMA’s, but I did see some recaps of the “performances.” I am, as a Christian man, as a dad (to 2 young men), as a Youth Pastor, and as a human, being deeply disturbed by what has transpired over the past few days.
Sunday was such a great day for my family and my church family. We ended our month-long emphasis on missions with an incredible “International Carry-In Meal,” and then a time of prayer for the over 6,000 unreached, unengaged people groups of the world. My wife, my oldest son and I gathered by one of the banners which had about 100 of these people groups listed on it, and we prayed for them. My heart was broken for these people whom we don’t know personally, who can’t call on the name of Jesus for their salvation because we haven’t gone or sent other Christians to tell them about Him. But my heart was overjoyed as my 16 year-old son prayed for one of these groups where we learned that if it is discovered that you are a follower of Jesus, you are imprisoned and possibly even put to death. He prayed not only for those who might be imprisoned, but for the prison guards and soldiers who put them there, that they might choose to follow Jesus, AND that they might share Him with their own families!
I sit here today preparing a message to share with teens tomorrow night, and I am saddened. I’m saddened by the fact that in my country, the past two days have been consumed with the thoughts and images of a few who choose to show complete disregard for their own lives. I’m saddened that we so quickly throw around condemnation for such acts as were shown on the VMA’s, while our society (both churched and un-churched) continues to support the products as continually advertised. I’m saddened by the way we continue to find “new” ways to justify our actions. I’m saddened that I spend so little time praying for those who are utterly lost to this world, and whose lives seem to indicate that this world is all they have to live for.
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” John 21:15-17 ESV
May I (along with those who have given control of their lives to Jesus) be challenged by His words today. Let’s be about feeding the sheep, praying for their salvation and showing His love by all we do, say and live!
Joey
Sunday was such a great day for my family and my church family. We ended our month-long emphasis on missions with an incredible “International Carry-In Meal,” and then a time of prayer for the over 6,000 unreached, unengaged people groups of the world. My wife, my oldest son and I gathered by one of the banners which had about 100 of these people groups listed on it, and we prayed for them. My heart was broken for these people whom we don’t know personally, who can’t call on the name of Jesus for their salvation because we haven’t gone or sent other Christians to tell them about Him. But my heart was overjoyed as my 16 year-old son prayed for one of these groups where we learned that if it is discovered that you are a follower of Jesus, you are imprisoned and possibly even put to death. He prayed not only for those who might be imprisoned, but for the prison guards and soldiers who put them there, that they might choose to follow Jesus, AND that they might share Him with their own families!
I sit here today preparing a message to share with teens tomorrow night, and I am saddened. I’m saddened by the fact that in my country, the past two days have been consumed with the thoughts and images of a few who choose to show complete disregard for their own lives. I’m saddened that we so quickly throw around condemnation for such acts as were shown on the VMA’s, while our society (both churched and un-churched) continues to support the products as continually advertised. I’m saddened by the way we continue to find “new” ways to justify our actions. I’m saddened that I spend so little time praying for those who are utterly lost to this world, and whose lives seem to indicate that this world is all they have to live for.
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” John 21:15-17 ESV
May I (along with those who have given control of their lives to Jesus) be challenged by His words today. Let’s be about feeding the sheep, praying for their salvation and showing His love by all we do, say and live!
Joey
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Catching Up with the Lear's...
I know, it's only been about a year and a half since I blogged...would you accept that I'm trying to pace myself? Okay, the foremost reason for this delay is just that life has been happening in the Lear Family, especially over the past year or so.
If you haven't heard or read, our family has grown since the last blog. In 2010, we were blessed to have been allowed to adopt our second son, Michael. Like Brian (who is getting ready to turn 14 next month!!), Michael was adopted through the Foster Care System. Just in case you're wondering, there are more than 450,000 children in Foster Care today, and around 125,000 who are available for adoption...those numbers should not only make you shake your head, but, I pray, will spurn you to seek information about what you and your family can do for maybe just 1 of those children! Okay, I'll step off the soapbox for now...
Life in the Lear household has had many ups, many downs, and MANY learning points over the past year. Annette (my beautiful & awesome wife) stays very busy coordinating visits to all the professionals who are part of our lives. She really does live the life of a full-time social worker many weeks! Annette also is active in Stonecroft Bible Studies as a Leader, and she takes part in prayer group of moms who pray for their kids' schools. I thank God OFTEN for her and for our marriage!! Brian and Michael have done well, especially over the last several months, adapting to one another. They play video games together, swim, bike, and play games together...sounds like a wonderful life, huh? They really have grown together and act like lifelong brothers, for better or WORSE!
I have really been evaluating not only the past year, but life in general, since turning 40 in September. I haven't been doing this in a depressed state, but rather seeking God's will for the next how ever many years He allows me to serve Him. I'll share more about this in upcoming days...I promise it won't be a year and a half!!
I'll leave you with a quote from "The Pursuit of Holiness," which our staff is going through together: "It is possible for us to do the right action from a wrong motive, but this does not please God. Holiness has to do with more than mere acts. Our motives must be holy, that is, arising from a desire to do something simply because it is the will of God." Back to the stats on Foster Care...would you truly seek His will in what He would have your family do?
Serving Christ,
Joey
If you haven't heard or read, our family has grown since the last blog. In 2010, we were blessed to have been allowed to adopt our second son, Michael. Like Brian (who is getting ready to turn 14 next month!!), Michael was adopted through the Foster Care System. Just in case you're wondering, there are more than 450,000 children in Foster Care today, and around 125,000 who are available for adoption...those numbers should not only make you shake your head, but, I pray, will spurn you to seek information about what you and your family can do for maybe just 1 of those children! Okay, I'll step off the soapbox for now...
Life in the Lear household has had many ups, many downs, and MANY learning points over the past year. Annette (my beautiful & awesome wife) stays very busy coordinating visits to all the professionals who are part of our lives. She really does live the life of a full-time social worker many weeks! Annette also is active in Stonecroft Bible Studies as a Leader, and she takes part in prayer group of moms who pray for their kids' schools. I thank God OFTEN for her and for our marriage!! Brian and Michael have done well, especially over the last several months, adapting to one another. They play video games together, swim, bike, and play games together...sounds like a wonderful life, huh? They really have grown together and act like lifelong brothers, for better or WORSE!
I have really been evaluating not only the past year, but life in general, since turning 40 in September. I haven't been doing this in a depressed state, but rather seeking God's will for the next how ever many years He allows me to serve Him. I'll share more about this in upcoming days...I promise it won't be a year and a half!!
I'll leave you with a quote from "The Pursuit of Holiness," which our staff is going through together: "It is possible for us to do the right action from a wrong motive, but this does not please God. Holiness has to do with more than mere acts. Our motives must be holy, that is, arising from a desire to do something simply because it is the will of God." Back to the stats on Foster Care...would you truly seek His will in what He would have your family do?
Serving Christ,
Joey
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