There's more...

In case I left someone off the e-mail list, here's the latest with our family:

My heart is so very heavy as I'm writing this message. As I was pushing "POST" on the last blog entry about Isabel's good doctor's report, my phone rang. I knew what had happened the second I heard his voice...Josh lost his job tonight. But we know without any doubt that God is the same "good and gracious Lord" that He was two hours ago when I wrote that wonderful message. It would be dishonest of me, though, to tell you that we are teeming over with confidence, security and peace. In reality, we are battling fear, uncertainty and confusion. The one thing we are confident about, though, is that God loves us, and He is sovereign over everything that happens in our lives. Our desperate plea now is for Him to fill us with peace (Phil. 4:7), wisdom, joy in the midst of this trial, and protection against the doubts and frustrations that tend to creep into our lives at a time like this. I flipped open my Bible this afternoon as we were waiting for the results of Izzy's test, and I immediately came to James 1:2-5: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." As I'm writing this and praying over what I say, I can feel the burden lifting from my heart. God is reminding me even now that we have so, so much to be thankful for and that joy is in no way tied to my circumstances. Happiness is wholly dependent on what is happening to me and around me; however, joy comes from within my heart. I know that God loves us, I know that He will provide for us, and I know that this will serve to glorify Him if we will let it. Please pray that we'll step aside for that to happen.
Thank you for letting me "talk this through". I think I gain clarity from e-mail...is that weird? (Angel, you'll appreciate that one!)
We love you all,
allison