Coming clean...

Hi all,
I have been quiet for awhile, I know - For the last 2-1/2 weeks, I have been studying for the Nebraska Insurance test - and I was more than worried that I wouldn't be able to pass it.
Do you know how long it's been since I took an actual test that was being graded? Anyone out there over 50 try to learn anything new? Holy smokes, I thought my brain was going to fall right out of my head! Then to add to the issue, I got sick just as I was starting, so my old brain was all stuffed up and sneezing information all over the place - I finally went to the doctor this week - on Tuesday because I had developed a fever (and I am required to go in whenever I get a fever because of the meds I am on) and he put me on large dosages of antibiotics, but they haven't worked quickly...
Anyway, yesterday I took the actual test. Quite a deal - I had brought tons of kleenex (the good kind with lotion) and they don't allow you to take anything in with you, so I had to leave them behind and use the rough kind that they had available. (Yes, you may refer to me as Rudolph today) and they fingerprint you with this little machine - three times each index finger - and if you should have to go to the bathroom during the testing, you have to be refingerprinted on the way out and on the way back in! Anyhow, after much (MUCH) prayer and chanting of "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me..", I finished the test and I PASSED !!!! I liken the relief to finally giving birth after 4 months on bedrest and a cane/walker...or close anyhow -

It feels wonderful to have a direction to be going in again. Although I actually did when I decided to start studying, it feels like a confirmation of doing the right thing since I have the embossed certificate in my purse saying that I passed the test.
And today I feel like I might actually live through this illness, too. I have, as they say, turned a corner.

So...it looks like I will go to work for Banker's Life - the company that my son Kenny works for - it will still be awhile as we need to send the forms into the state - and I have lots of training to do - but I am looking forward to it.
It will be a job where I will be meeting lots of people, and doing my best to help them out. Those are things that I have always wanted to be able to do in a career, so I'm hoping that it will all work out for the best.
Keep us in your prayers, as you are all in ours,
Lisa

Catching up

No update on the job front, but I do have some pictures to show, and a few stories to catch you up on... For New Years we went to the Holiday Inn and had a lot of fun - they have a dance every year - this was the first time we were able to go. The kids had a lot of fun - Ter was still recovering from surgery, but he was a good sport and though he went to rest for awhile, he came back at midnight to kiss me! We realized at that moment that this was the first time we had ever been out for New Year's! Akaela also got her braces off and her teeth look amazing! She is getting so pretty and growing up! Nick and Akaela are both playing basketball - such a difference this year for Nick at Kearney High! He's doing well, though. And Akaela is doing awesome - she broke the girls record by 12 points -and in only 3 quarters! Noelle has been a b-ball fan since she arrived (most of last season she was yelling in Mandarin) but she hadn't had any actual playing experience in China. We think that they don't do PE there - her muscle tone was almost nonexistent at first and she couldn't even shoot a ball close to the net - and jumping is an issue, too. BUT, she has been working at it and last week she made her first basket! Since then when she comes home from school, she gives me an update - 2 today, Mom! One day it was 4! We also took her in for a checkup and she has grown 3-1/2 inches and gained 13 pounds since she got home! She is now in the 70th percentile for her age! I am enjoying being home - things I always meant to get to are getting done - like cleaning out the pantry! Unfortunately, our finances won't allow me to be a permanent housewife, but I am enjoying it while I can! Of course, there are some unpleasant aspects to unemployment - but I am doing my best to see the glass as half full. Again, I thank my friends for being so great - emails, phone calls and hugs - tears and sad eyes - they all tell me that you care. And that means more to me than I can express. Mostly I don't cry anymore - and I am learning lessons! Just today I saw a woman on tv that had lost her arms and legs from a flesh eating bacteria - she was such a fighter - taking care of her family - and her face was so full of light. I cried (no surprise) at her story and realized that my problems are so small! I'm grateful that God is showing me so much during this time...my eyes are open to more because I am not so "busy". Blessings all! Lisa