So Randi has been home now for a bit over a week and it has been so great! We are adjusting things in the house to accomodate all of us and getting to know each other again - not that we were ever strangers, but living in the same household is so much more intimate. There have been a few moments that have been tense as we all try to understand and work through things, but for the most part it has just been great! Im learning to prepare meals for 3 again and there are all kinds of different food items around. Seems that our schedules all work well together.





It was 1 year and 8 months that she left home and it was the worst and longest year and 8 months ever. What was learned and experienced during this time though, was probably the most valuable lesson i have ever learned and lived. In the beginning i tried everything i could think of to steer the ship in the direction i wanted it to go, and nothing would make it budge. My husbands support, patience and encouragement were the stepping stone to me connecting with the only one who could help - the only one who could control the situation. Only my God - the Gentle Shepard, my most loving Father, my help in time of need - My Lord, Jesus Christ could ever work this all out for His good and His Glory. I cried out to Him, i prayed to Him, i help tight to His hand, and when i finally gave in and completely trusted in Him to work through all this i found peace in my heart, and the avenues began to open up for Randi.





I began to sense some changes in Randi around the beginning of August. I couldnt really pinpoint anything specific, but i guess moms intuition just sensed something. Still i held tightly to Jesus, and let Him do his work. In early September Randi called me one day and asked me what the name of Jill Kelly's new book was. I mentioned to her that Jill was going to be speaking at church on Sunday for the women's groups big kickoff and that i had an extra ticket (when i went to pick up tickets i asked for 2, hoping that Randi would join me, but realizing she already had plans - but just in case). She told me that she would like to but confirmed that she had other plans. Then 10 minutes later she called me back and said she changed her mind and wanted to go (thank you God for answered prayer number one). The day of the event came and Randi met me shortly before i had to be there. I was working at a table and when i got there a young lady named Britney was also working at the table. She was representing a ministry called Refined. I started talking to her about it and she told me that it was a group of girls in their 20's that were too young to really enjoy the womens ministry group and didnt really feel "fed" by the college age ministry. Randi was away from us buying Jill Kelly's book and when she came back she and Britney began talking - for like a half hour. When we left to go into the church to hear Jill Kelly Randi told me that she was going to go to Refined and check it out. Then later in the week she made arrangements at work to get Tuesday nights off so she can go to Vintage (the college ministry). She didnt believe they would give her the day off, but God had different plans. And i love His plan!

Thank you God, for helping me to see that i needed to put this all in your hands and stop trying to steer the ship myself. I am confident that Randi is firmly in your hands and that you will lead her in the ways she should go. I know there will be difficult days, but i know you have it under control. I know the plans you have for my precious daughter are far better than any plan i could ever imagine for her.