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TY for asking.... and yes.... all is well

Amanda refers to where she is as home, she is incrementally showing signs of a maturity she has never displayed before. She has begun to express a degree of fright about the future and what she will do with her life.... she did this through some tears.... while I smiled..

She did not understand why I was smiling, but when I told her that it was the first time she expressed such ever to me and that all young people to some degree have that thought.... she seemed to understand.... it really is the first time she has ever faced reality with a sober mind....

She also is having trouble trying to come to grips with her boyfriend.... it is likely he is using after leaving rehab early... she told me that it is likely she will never be able to see him again.... it breaks her heart... and scares me.... because if she does not discern properly and stay away... it could lead to her relapsing.... and worse.

She still has 3-6 months to go.... i don’t know what tomorrow holds.... but I pray unceasingly to God that He leads.... my daughter asks me what she needs to do to understand her future... i tell her to open her heart and pray with faith and thanksgiving...

She has come so far, the Lord has not forsaken us.... He has delivered on His promise.... she has grown closer to Him.... I can see it when we worship, her heart embraces Him through song and prayer.... He truly is a life changer...

Please continue to pray for her and us... God has heard our prayers and has walked with us every step.... pray He gives her strength and courage to stay obedient to His calling....

I face the dilemma of being laid off by years end... just another trial we will need to endure... please pray the Lord opens another door for us on that front as well..

God has blessed us on so many fronts... I am awed by what I have seen over this last year or so.... He is real.... all praise, honor and glory be His...

Hi FRiends -

Been two months since my last update.... so here goes...

We spent a wonderful weekend with my daughter these past three days. I am awed at what God has seen fit to do in our family.

Amanda has about two months to go before she graduates from teen challenge... She has expressed interest in going back to school and working again. Her accelerator is 100mph... she wants to move forward in the worst way... sometimes I have to help her take the foot off the gas and take it one day at a time.... it is blessing.

Over the past weekend she told a neighbor that they are more than welcome to come to her graduation... but their daughter, someone who likely abuses, is not welcome... because ehs needs to move forward in a life that does not include such... my wife said she did it in a very beautiful and touching manner... I know that does not mean she will not stuggle with such for the rest of her life.... but I see she has a desire not to go back to who she was.

She also met with some people who were there when she first left our house to continue her usage. These two persons tried desperately to convince her to go... but the evil of drugs has a different message and pull... and she ignored them.

Bill and Christy are people of strong faith who never stoppped praying for her... Bill in particular has become a dear friend.

When they had to leave Amanda led a prayer with them... she brought Bill to tears... His quote... “I just heard one of the most powerful heartfelt bone marrow penetrating prayers”. Bill is a mountain of a man in stature and faith... it blessed my heart to hear those words.

Through this weekend I just tried to step back and let God take me where He wished.... it gave me a glimpse into what could be.... God willing..... what will be.... a family restored and reconcilled through God’s grace.

On the other front... my job.... my career.... with my company still looks like it may be coming to end... They are in full swing in outsourcing 1000’s of jobs to India. I will know my fate in January.

It is like a death by a thousand cuts.... each day you see people being let go (you pray for strength and for them).... each day you get a bit more bad news.... each day the reality becomes more clear.

Here too.... I hold to my faith. I KNOW God will provide.... even if the plan He has is not my plan. It is jusat a very difficult struggle....

I will continue to pray and ask God to renew, transform and bring us closer to Him each day.... To give us strength and courage.... to go with and before us.... opening doors that I could never otherwise move....

I kept a journal up until my daughter entered Teen Challenge.... I think I will start it up again. This next part of the journey God has us on may also give others hope.... a hope based on God’s mercy and grace.... not on our own doings...

Please continue to keep our family in your prayers.... pray for our health, strength and God’s blessings. I will continue to pray for all of you as well.... for you were there in spirit when we walked the darkest road of our lives.

BTW, Amanda’s grauation will be live streamed.... I will post the link as the time nears.

God Bleass... Tom & Alyssa