10 weeks - Update & Another Song

Ten weeks. In someways it seems SO long ago, and the next minute I think Matthew is going to walk in the kitchen asking what's for dinner (when we barely finished lunch). The younger boys seem to be liking their bedroom. Funny thing is now that they are out of the living room, our oldest, Stephen is sleeping back on the couch. He was before, until the accident, and then he wanted more peace and quite to rest up. But now that the living room is "available" for quietness, he's back. We've not said much to him, but in his own way, I think he is dealing with it - maybe does not even realize it.

A man from our church spent the whole day with us, redoing all the gas lines and plumbing lines, to make it easier to remodel the downstairs bathroom. We had copper gas lines and he replaced them all with something safer, and even blessed us with a new water heater. We have been so awed at people's willingness, time and such giving hearts. Norm even talked to him and told him the new water heater was not a "need" but our friend felt that this would help out our gas bill and be safer since it was over 20 years old.

We've had some rough days emotionally, and as Norm says we have to keep "sweeping" our way through this, picking up the pieces, and working extra hard with each other. It's easy to be snappy and say things we don't mean.

It seems minor, but our car is still not working. Stephen took it to his automotive class about 8 weeks ago. It just quit on us, and they have replaced many parts, hoping that would be it. Then suddenly it started. Now it appears to be some electrical short "somewhere". The car will start, go a few feet, and die. It's been very frustrating. We have kind people, including our pastor, who has loaned us a vehicle, but it's frustrating too.

Thank you for continuing to pray. I want to close with this song that whenever we hear it reminds us so much of Matthew, and just what he went through.

Take You Back - by Jeremy Camp

The reason why I stand
The answer lies in you
You hung to make me strong
Though my praise was few
When I fall I bring your name down

But I have found in you
A heart that bleeds forgiveness
Replacing all these thoughts of painful memories
And I know your response will always be

I'll take you back always
Even when your fight is over now
I'll take you back
Even when the pain is coming through
I'll take you back

You satisfy this cry of what I'm looking for
And I'll take all I can and lay it down
before the throne of endless grace
Now that radiates what's true

I'm in the only place that erases all these faults
that have overtaken me
and I know your response will always be

I'll take you back
Even when your fight is over now
I'll take you back
Even when the pain is coming through
I'll take you back

I can only speak with a grateful heart
As I'm pierced by this gift of your love
I will always bring an offering
I can never thank you enough

You take me back always
Even when my fight is over now
You take me back
Even when the pain is coming through
You take me back

Oh Matthew ... do you know we'd take you back too?