So Thankful!

Well, it's almost November, a time to think a little more deeply about what we have to be thankful for. I can think of so many things that I hope I won't ramble too much in this entry. But, this is entitle "Regan Ramblings", right? And I'm just exercising my 1st amendment right to speak up. So, I'll start by saying I'm SO thankful for my family. Jay and I just celebrated 10 years since we first "met" on e-harmony, October 23rd. We decided to take a much-needed weekend getaway and went hiking at a couple of state parks. I'm so thankful that we have both sets of parents and that Jay's parents live close by. They are always so helpful and supportive and Penny loves staying with them when we need to get away. It's gradually getting easier for her to handle us leaving. But, it's still a little scary for someone who is used to people leaving her permanently. So proud of how she's developing trust and becoming such a brave young woman!

As far as her school situation is going...that is also gradually getting better. According to the letter grades, she is still failing Algebra, which was devastating to her and worrying us as her parents when she was losing sleep and becoming so emotional over it. But, we finally demanded a meeting at her school and was given one. The teachers and staff involved all seemed to understand more of why Math was so hard for Penny and said they'll do more to support her. Now they've even found her a math tutor who helps just her once a week. The funding came available through a special new department in the school district, titled something like "Immigrant Services". They provide help for immigrant children who've been in this country for less than 3 years. Penny's 3 year mark will be in January. It just so happens that the woman in charge of this department happens to be in my neighbor lady's bible study and was talking about her new job and how she was having a hard time locating students who needed help. So, my neighbor lady piped up and said, "Well, I know of one kid!" and proceeded to tell her about Penny. So, thanks to that conversation, the woman contacted the school and offered her services. Before this, Penny's counselor was unaware of this service of the district. Now she's not only helped out by providing a free tutor, but she's also supplied funds to order Penny a special calculator (costing over $100) and paying for a fee that is required in order to cover insurance on a laptop computer that all students are to receive. This comes in VERY handy, as we've been struggling financially ever since Jay lost his teaching job.

Speaking of money...I felt so bad that a mistake I made cost our family more money. I've never done it before, but I completely spaced a doctor's appointment that I had set up. When I called them after I realized my mistake I discovered, much to my shock, that they had doubled their late fee. It made me break down, much to my embarrassment, over the phone. But, my wonderful husband, with his great, calm, skills of negotiating called them about a week later and asked if we could have mercy and at least cut the fee down. They not only agreed to do that, they actually waived the fee, altogether. I am so relieved. And, once again, I am so thankful that the Lord opened up the opportunity of my new preschool job. I'm so thankful for the great hours and being just a couple blocks away from Penny's school. Just continuing to pray for God's provision during these hard times.

One thing I'm very thankful for, is a roof over our heads. The other night Penny woke up around 2:30 am and thought her bed was shaking. She said it felt like a small earthquake. I slept through the whole thing. But, in the morning we discovered big branches on our roof due to the heavy, wet snow overnight. It has caused so much tree damage throughout the city that they've decided to pick up all of the limbs across the city from the curbside for free. It's going to cost the city 1.5 million dollars.




Another reason I'm feeling thankful for our home, is in hearing about the many people in Thailand fleeing from their homes, due to the flooding there. It's not affecting the area of Thailand where Penny comes from. But, it is slowing down the whole adoption process for many waiting families. It may have disrupted life for some the children whom they are waiting for, as several of those kids live with foster families whose homes are in the area affected by the flooding. So, please pray for everyone involved.

As we look forward to Thanksgiving, let's all pause and remember the many reasons that we have to be thankful for. God is good, all the time!