Trying school again!

Did we think we would be “resending” our oldest back to school this school year? No. Has God been good and gracious to Owen and us? Yes!

Today is the first day back to school after spring break. We decided to try school during these next couple weeks before Owen’s next round of chemotherapy. He has been doing so much better than we thought! He wanted to go to school. Even though that makes my mama heart nervous because I’m not there to watch and protect him, it was time to give it a try and see how he does. We will start with a part day and go from there. I had to swallow a big lump in my throat watching him get on the bus and go to school. He was vibrating with excitement which was so special to see, and I am just so thankful we have reached this point. May all glory be given to God!

I cannot say the past weeks have been easy. The range, the depth, the layer of emotions is a lot. Parenting Owen has been tough with everything he’s been through so far and how different he is now. His personality is different, his attitude and reactions are different; His aggression and grumpiness is a stark reminder each day of his journey and has been taking time to get used to. Some days parenting him is hard. We need wisdom from above. It hasn’t been easy to see Owen so different now after 30 radiation treatments on his brain. He hasn’t been on steroids for a while so we know it’s not the effects of that anymore.

Owen’s next round of chemotherapy happens in a couple weeks if all goes well. At that time we also hope to try a new medication, provided Owen can handle all the pills he’ll have to take each day. He’s very picky as right now he doesn’t have an appetite and so many things taste gross to him.

I came across the song “I Am Not My Own” by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Skye Peterson, and The Getty Girls. We have listened to and sung it a lot in our house. This song goes nicely with question and answer 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism “What is our only comfort in life and death?”: “That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ”….. What a comfort to know that we are His and He will be there no matter what we face in this life!

1)The One who made the heavens, made my heart and soul

Before I drew a breath, I was loved and known

I am His creation, the Maker's masterpiece

And all that He designs will be done in me.

2)My body is a temple of the living God

I'll worship in this house that His blood has bought

As I bear His image, oh, may I not profane

The holiness I hold in this earthly frame.

(Chorus)

I belong to the Lord, oh, I am not my own

I belong to the Lord, I am not my own

I will honor Him for this I know

I belong to the Lord, I am not my own.

3)And if He has redeemed me, I am not my own

The measure of my worth is His love alone

He declares my standing, and He declares my state

So I will know myself by the name He gave.

(Chorus)

I belong to the Lord, oh, I am not my own

I belong to the Lord, I am not my own

I will honor Him for this I know

I belong to the Lord, I am not my own.

4)I am not my own and now my heart is free

O Maker, come and make what You will of me

There is nothing broken that You cannot repair

So Lord, I leave my life in Your loving care.

(Chorus)(I know that-)

I belong to the Lord, oh, I am not my own

I belong to the Lord, I am not my own

I will honor Him for this I know

I belong to the Lord, I am not my own (oh, I am not my own)

I will honor Him for this I know

I belong to the Lord, I am not my own.