Our little sheep

As time draws nearer for us to hold a phone conference with "the powers that be" to discuss Brooke's first goals, we can do nothing more than pray.  It's come to our attention that Brooke is still lost in her ways and not making much effort as of yet to change.  This entire school year has been all about change for her, but not the kind of changes we have liked.  Most recently we have heard that Brooke continues to struggle in her new school.  She's moved so many times this school year back and forth from school to school and program to program it's almost impossible for her to keep those grades up.  One school had similar classes, then back to the original school but not the same schedule, then to a different school again and all new classes. It's gone on and on all school year.

We have seen our precious child go through so much, it really hurts my heart.  We all change at that age. And some of us, well most of us even stray from our heavenly father too. I'm afraid she has. That also hurts my heart. But I can rejoice knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ has taken away any and all burdens when he died on the cross for ALL of our sins. Each one of us has the opportunity to start fresh, clean, anew.  Brooke made that decision last year and became baptized, along with her brother Austin. It was important to each of them that they did it together.

Since Brooke has been gone not one single day has gone by without someone asking how she is doing. This is how we know how much she is loved and cared about by everyone around us. We appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers for her more than you all will know.  Three weeks after her leaving town I think we are just now feeling a little bit like talking about her out loud.  This house has been so different.  It's hard to explain.

In about two more weeks we will have the opportunity to speak with the case manager and her house parents and set up a service plan with some goals for Brooke.  This plan will last for the next six months.  Right now off the top of my head I can think of 199 rules she needs to have implemented in her plan but that may be a few too many!  I will have to trust that her new "family" will see where she needs to begin and help her take that first step.  Whatever it may be.  No matter what, we know that she is in the hands of God and we will continue to pray that He will guide her in the right direction, more towards Him.