Prayer Requests

Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors--

We come to you this week seeking prayer on behalf of some pending decisions we need to make. To make a long story short, we are in the midst of deciding about school placement for John and Lizzie. When we visited in December we were told by the management here at the apartment complex that we would be assigned to Forest Hills Elementary. A fine school as far as we knew...not at the top of the county's schools, but certainly not at the bottom. Last week, I went to register the kids and was redirected to Freeman School, a school near the bottom of the list, in a questionable area. It is magnet school for engineering, so the concept, educationally, is interesting and has lots of potential, but the environment is causing concern.

On Thursday, after we got back from NY, we received a letter stating that we can request transfer to two other schools (due to the school's failing test scores for the past two years). The letter goes on to state that low scoring children and low income children will receive first priority. Ashley and I visited one of the schools and then the board of education office to get some answers. Needless to say, we learned a lot about "the system", but that our kids, being middle class and achieving students, probably would not be transferred. A long story to say that we need prayer for wisdom, discernment, and a clear leading from the Lord about what we should do. Has the Lord placed us in Freeman school...like Daniel and the Hebrew boys in Babylon? To get involved and serve in that school? Where does our responsibility as parent/protectors meet our faith in God's Protection?

Additionally, there is a middle school spanish job and two elementary jobs that I will be applying for on Monday. I hope to visit each school and hand deliver my application...please pray that God would open or close the doors as is necessary for our family. We're praying for a job that fits our financial needs, family schedule, and my giftings. We serve a HUGE, sovereign, all knowing God, so we are confident He will answer our prayers, but will you continue to pray with us?

Please pray for:
John and Lizzie's school situation
My future job and this week as I make contacts
Mark's classes online with Liberty start August 18
John begins soccer mid-month
Our Crosswinds Team as we meet tomorrow (Sunday) and begin planning
Opportunities to begin building relationships
God given WISDOM and DISCERNMENT
STRENGTH and PERSERVERANCE for what lies ahead

God never promised this adventure to be an easy one. It seems that in the next few weeks, some pretty important decisions are going to be made. Thanks for your prayers, we are again humbled that you choose to bring us before the throne of Almighty God!

Eternally grateful,
Chris for Mark, John, and Lizzie