Changing seasons

The school called again today… and I’ve decided to start keeping a record of the reasons they call, because, based on the two calls we’ve had so far, this could be an entertaining year! The conversation begins, “Hello, is that Katherine’s mum? Everyone is ok.” I’m glad of that quick reassurance. “Katherine sat IN the water table today. We’ve changed her clothes, and her shoes are drying in the sun but won’t be dry enough for her to walk in, so please bring another pair of shoes with you for pick up.” I chuckle as I picture it! Oh she loves to get wet. And she’s quick! Hopefully the teachers remain entertained and don’t wear to exasperated. We’re only 2 weeks into term. (The first call also was for us to bring shoes for pick up as the sole of her shoe had entirely come off – I’m not sure that was Katherine’s fault but she certainly may have helped it).

Last night she tried brushing her teeth with a razor that I accidentally left out in the bathroom. Praise God her injuries were very minor with only a couple of tiny bloody cuts on her tongue…it could have been SO much worse. It’s impossible to always have our eyes on her, but it reminded me that I can’t become complacent and also that I need to be praying for her teachers as she does have a way of getting into things she shouldn’t be in!

But other than that, school is going well. The bigger girls are settling back into the routine of it and seem happy with their teachers, and Katherine is clearly exploring a great deal and entertaining her teachers (it’s her teachers’ first time teaching a child with DS so it’s a learning curve!). Ruth is having a harder time adjusting to her sisters being gone and cried every day for the first two weeks as we left them, as we got back in the car, as we drove home, calling out, “Abbie-Audrey, Abbie-Audrey” repeatedly, with an occasional, “Ka-rin” thrown in. Sweet baby girl. She does settle once we are home or doing something else but she doesn’t much like the separating bit!

It’s definitely a change having three of the girls in school. Wow…I’m even getting to write a blog post (albeit still over days!) and it’s not 11pm! I don’t think this has ever happened!!  Before the summer holidays I was anxiously asking the Lord what I was supposed to be doing once Katherine joined the other two in school, wondering whether I should get a job and what our day to day schedule should be like. Over the last couple of months He’s been making it clear that I’m to ‘BE’ and not to get busy ‘doing’. With more free time now than I’ve had for the past five years there is definitely a temptation to ‘DO’!

There’s a song that has become my latest favorite. It stirs a cry deep inside and a longing to be found ready. A good part of the call to ‘be’ rather than ‘do’, is for me, I believe, a call to intimacy with God… to spend more time being with Him and letting Him teach me what that means! I’m looking forward to this new season… though it’s not all going to be sitting around enjoying peace and quiet! It looks like we are going to be moving again around Christmas time… the Baptist church next door has found a new pastor who is planning on moving in here between Christmas and New Year, so we are seeking to hear what God is saying about where next. It truly feels like there could be nowhere more perfect than where we are now, and we are thankful for the months we’ve had here, but we love and serve a God who is able and who has already worked miracles to have us where we are today… so we are believing that He’ll take care of us and provide our next house!

We’ll leave you with some photos from our summer holidays… we had a wonderful summer and enjoyed some time away visiting friends in Shropshire, Manchester and Yorkshire.  In our last week we were saddened by the loss of William’s wonderful dad, particularly hard after losing his mum in January. William was thankfully able to fly out to the US for the memorial service and to spend some time with his siblings. We rejoice knowing that his Dad is now free from suffering and is rejoicing with the saints, reunited with his wife and living eternally in the presence of his Saviour. What a hope we have been given! Thank you Jesus!