Changes: The "Old", "New" and "Where the heck did that come from?" type...

     So...changes. Things changing from what they currently are into something else. A transformation of sorts. Well, that's what has been happening with me...

     My work with CEF continues on. 4 different groups of children call me teacher: the Kindergarten & 1st grade class at my church, The Released-Time classes at Philomath Middle School and Kings Valley Charter school, and the Good News Club at Franklin Elementary. Franklin's club was going to transition to meeting at a local church, but God came through with the money to pay for the rental fees of the school gym through the end of the year. So...almost a change, but then not. My funding has not changed, which is sad, not for me, but for Benton County CEF. For every dollar that doesn't come in to support me...a dollar comes out of their budget to make sure that I have a paycheck every month, while the Director and Assistant Director take cuts or late paychecks. So, pray that that would change.

     A group of CEF staff and friends have joined together to start a weekly prayer e-mail and monthly prayer meeting for CEF's various classes, clubs, training and funding. Though they don't know it yet, I'll be posting the prayer updates on a new, "CEF of Benton County" page on facebook. Hopefully that will be updated Mondays. The prayer meetings, e-mails and this facebook page are all a major change form the way things were last year...so pray that it all goes smoothly.

     Meanwhile, one of my close friends is experiencing heavy difficulties at a local community college. She continues to press forward, but the trials keep coming. So much so that it seems as if they are a direct attack from the Enemy. I'm doing the best I can to try and help her see God in all of this, but I'm going into unfamiliar territory with a lot of the things she's going through. God continues to show me where to go and what to say, but the whole situation is still a major element of change for me.

     In my own life, my tax returns have been accepted and the money from them (Since I pretty much got all of it back) went towards funding my new laptop (from which I write this new post), and some accessories to go with it. However, this weekend held the surprise that the Xbox 360 I had fixed last summer is once again experiencing the Red Ring of Death (Basically...it doesn't do anything) and the back-up motherboard will only let the console read DVD's...no games. So, my brother and I are stuck without a game system for at least two months, until we can save up the funds for a new Xbox 360 S. This is probably for the best for Justin, as a local band has lost their previous drummer and it looks as if Justin will be his replacement. Of course, he doesn't have his driver's license yet, so I get to drive him to practices...good thing I got this laptop!

     All in all, these changes and not so changes are good, but as always, they can be a little rough getting through. God continues to support and guide me though...so I guess it's kind of like diving out of an airplane in the dark of night: you really have no idea what's down there, but you know you have your 'chute and instructor to help you make a smooth landing.

*EDIT*

     So, that facebook page for CEF of Benton County is not going to be up and running this week. I got sick Monday, so no work. And no work means no prayer letter update which means nothing to post on the page. Hopefully next week will be more open...