A Great Movie, Must Read Book and Emotional Breakdown . . .

I am going to start with the last item in my heading and work backwards . . . I know it would make more sense to post in order of the heading . . .but I don't want to!

So Friday I had both the girls and Haylee was acting kind of pouty. I kept asking her what was wrong and she gave the typical woman answer "nothing". Finally she confessed that something was wrong, but she didn't want to talk about it in front of Autumn. So while Autumn was in a dressing room trying on a dress, Haylee broke down in the middle of Kohls . . . I mean tears and red face, the whole thing. She is still very much having a hard time with Autumn being around and her living with us. Autumn and I are starting Girl Scouts together after the first of the year and Haylee was crying that her mom never does anything with her and she wishes she could live with us etc. None of what she told me was new information, just fresh tears on a struggle she has had for months. We kind of worked through somethings at Kohls and I told Haylee that since Girl Scouts is every other Tuesday, on the OTHER Tuesday I would take her on a date . . .just her and I. She really liked that idea.

Later, at home, she continued her melt down saying she wishes things could go back to the way they used to be with just the 3 of us. I know this whole thing is hard for her . . .I have tried everything I can think of to help her through it, but she is stuck. Please pray for her heart to be softened and for God to heal the wounds that so hurt her.

Now . . . on to the must read book. Last week in church Pastor Terry announced that we would have a guest author at the church in November, talking about his new book that is a New York Times Best Seller. He announced the name of the book, and the author,neither of which I was familiar with!!! My mom bought the book "The Shack" and graciously let me read it. I finished it last night, and still, today, feel lost in the book. The book takes you along side a man who has endured great tragedy and he is given the chance to meet with God and ask the age old question "How could you let this happen?". As God reveals Himself to this man (in a very surprising way), he learns about God's ways and involvement with tragedy in this world, in doing so, the mans heart heals and he finds new life. I have to say, I have never read a fiction book, that so clearly and delicately illustrated characteristics of God in such a way that I felt like I was actually getting a glimpse and things so far beyond my understanding. The book took my breath away, leaving me longing for a closer walk with Him. If you have not read this book . . .get it . . . it is a MUST READ!!!

Saturday Jody and I went on a little date to the movies (something we have not done in months). We treated ourselves to the movie "Fireproof". Apparently it has been in the top ten movies in the nation for a few weeks, but as with most Christian entertainment, it is hard to find in Utah. There are only a handful of theaters in Utah playing the movie, we found one close to home and went. The movie stars Kirk Cameron and is a about a couple and their struggling marriage. The Gospel is very clearly presented in the movie and the story line is one we can all relate to on some level. If you get the chance, go see it!!!

We are off to another week . . . only 5 weeks until Thanksgiving and I have 3 Christmas presents left to buy!!!!

Serving Him,
Jess