A missing child

As you know, I sent off my precious child (ok, adult) to college last week. While I prayed, pondered and wrote about bittersweet I am truly thankful that Hannah is at a college who is continuing to train her up in the way she should go. I am now no longer the primary influencer in her day, the Lord is the one who is her "inspirer" in a very real way now. I am thankful that transition has begun beautifully. As you may know (I have lots of new readers from Pinterest now) I try to use the verse above, in a page from Inspired Design (our book) as my life's motto. (Phil 4:8)

There are times when this is more challenging than others and this is one of them.

My friend, Christi Goeser, a beloved teacher of both my children has a missing child. She and her family are experiencing very real crisis. Before I share with you the details, in hopes that you will share with your friends, I want to share with you why Christi is special to me. My son was diagnosed with a learning disability, nothing dramatic, however a very real cause to why his reading comprehension was causing anguish to our very bright, artistic and outside of the box child. In tears we had many meetings with Christi who prayed with us, and help us find the solution: ultimately an education specialist who worked with us and Justin to help him. Although still tremendously difficult for him, Justin received all A's and B's last semester. I credit the dedication of this special teacher and a few others with finding out this issue to fix it, which leads me to try to help her son, David and his family try to find him.

He is missing.
It is clearly breaking the hearts of his family: Mom, Christi     Dad, Mark    Sister, Jessica
If this was my child, I would want everyone I know to drop everything and find him. Now, there have been searches which turned up his car, most of his personal items were left in his college room. But the most important thing: He has not been found yet. My heart broke and I cried, as did my children, when we heard this story. He is a young man who receives honors at UCLA, whose family loves him.

Will you help me? My prayers today are strong, that these sightings will lead to David being spotted, and found. He is struggling with some health issues and is under a doctors care. He needs to be on his medication and truly this could be the tool God uses to save his life. Will you please help me today.
I wish I could do more, that we could more. But God is in charge of miracles, so let's ask for one!


Watch this Youtube Clip, from his sister Jessica    and SHARE this page on your Facebook, forward the email, you can even post posters and pray that God will make the divine connection and someone from this blog or Pinterest or facebook will see David and he will make connection with his family.

Bittersweet

Bittersweet...Bittersweet
I've never really understood that word like I have the past several days, probably culminating on Thursday and Friday when I drop off Hannah at college. She is lovely, intelligent and prepared. She has worked hard for her achievements. Her work ethic is astounding. This is what we prepared her for.

Wow, though, it IS hard. I thought because she is somewhat local it would be an insignificant transition, but I underestimated how much I treasure and adore her. As we have bought dorm items, new school clothes, and  more I realize as I pass her room that it will be empty soon. It is just so simple, I will miss her, my sweet best friend.

As with any rite of passage I realize that I am just one of many mothers giving her children wings, but the feeling is no less real and no less bittersweet. I will take comfort in friends that have gone before me, not realizing how they must have needed me...but I just didn't realize...

Since I use Phil 4:8 as my "life~filter" verse,  I will share some gorgeous photographs by Mark Lohman for our book (Inspired Design)!   I'm choosing to focus on the amazing time we had creating the book, founding Inspired31.org and everything in the last 18 years with Hannah!  All of it pure joy. For some of you who are new, and those old friends and followers, I want to share with you an intimate slice of a conversation with my husband. He is the most humble man I know, concise with words or frivolous drivel. He says only the minimal necessary.  I, well, not so much.  It is from this I choose to share because the processing so many of us do together is helpful to each other. My intent is always to share and look at the positive side of life (Life verse Phil 4:8, whatever things are excellent, pure, praiseworthy...think on these things), because well we all go through difficult trials, some big some small and so much of life is the way you CHOOSE to look at/handle the situation not always just the circumstances. He says I should share that these always come from a celebratory perspective not a boastful one. Because we are women I know we can relate to being out of balance. I hope that you'll know my heart is to share the joy and wonderful occasions, to focus on the excellent.  I love to focus on the beautiful and excellent.

So, after I get my chicklet off to school and celebrate my parents 50th Wedding anniversary I have a fun new project to share with you. It is something that is before and after, it is looking at the rudimentary then the beautiful. I think you will love it.  Blessings to you and may you too, be looking at that which is excellent and praiseworthy! This week it will be my constant prayer! oxoxo

It is this  Check out our new blog designs (and new features by clicking on Inspired Design at top) If you have words of wisdom, please share below! oxxo