Many prayers needed

Savannah, my heart aches for your right now and this horrible situation. Please know that I'll be praying for you and that you are able to get some sort of resolution soon to this situation.

Rhonda wrote:

OH SAVANNAH!!!! Please take care of YOU.......You have a broken heart and it literally is hurting you....trust me, I know......the pain can be unbearable at times........When mine does that, I will find a relaxing place to sit and start doing my Lamaze breathing that I learned when I was pregnant with my first son........he is 22 years old, but to this day, Lamaze is my friend.......DEEP slow breaths through the nose......long slow exhale through the mouth..... repeat.......do this slow and up to 3 times..........I love you girl........God bless.....

By the way, any update on the attorney visit? :unsure:

We decided to go with an attorney who several people in my church recommended - and he can't see us til Wednesday. I hate waiting. But, he's an excellent attorney, and was able to get the children back for one of the ladies in my church. They had given up hope, and Pastor told us that this attorney was like a pit bull, exhausting every avenue he could find.

I talked to my precious children this morning on a two-way cell phone. Caleby, bless his heart, he doesn't care if April hears it or not.......he told me "I wuv you so much...I wish I could come home to you!". Bless that baby! Michael, Rachel and Jeremiah talked with me for quite a few minutes, too. It was so very good to hear their voices. Jeremiah is so angry right now. When he was at the store with me two days ago, he punched one of the cases of toilet paper as hard as he could. That's not like him. But everything has so suddenly changed.

We finally talked to April, and mentioned that the social worker had said that the children all need to be able to talk to someone - a counsellor, Pastor.....someone. Her response? "Why? What do you mean?". Their whole LIVES have been turned on end, and she wants to know WHY they might need to talk about it to someone???


Kathy, thank you for your prayers.....you and your family continue to be in mine, as well.

So glad you'll be able to see an attorney about this situation. Savannah, I know you are so torn up right now, but continually give this over to God and do whatever you have to do to keep positive thoughts, listen to good music, read the Bible for scriptures on God's promises. I've had to do that many times to keep my focus up instead of on my circumstances. Not trying to sound preachy just telling you what I've had to do in my own situation and how it helps keep my heart calm.

Savannah, maybe you should look into an Emergency Dependency Petition. You could have an answer back for it in as little as 24 hours.
I have a freind who has custody of her 3 grandchildren. She lives in Arizona and when I asked her what she would do, she told me to suggest this petition.
Good luck buddy. I am still thinking and praying for you and the children.

Savannah I'm only catching up with what's been going on with you now. I'm so sorry I haven't offered my support earlier but please know that you're in my thoughts and prayers even though I'm thousands of miles away on the other side of the Atlantic.

I'm a great believer in What Goes Round Comes Round and I truly believe everything will work out for you. Just keep believing that yourself and know that we're all with you in thought and in prayer.

Savannah wrote:

You are all so precious. Thank you so much for the prayers, cyber-hugs, messages......It's helping me through each day. I need to add another request on top of this all. My heart has been hurting since yesterday, and my chest feels so heavy. It's probably all related to what's going on.

Oh no, Savannah. Of course I'll keep you in my prayers as well with this. Please take care of yourself.

Sending lots of thoughts and prayers your way.

We sure need them. . . .

My brother two-wayed tonight, and told my Mom that she could continue to homeschool the children . . . . at HIS house. He has no concept of how many books it takes to teach four different grades.(Or doesn't care) Everything that we need and use in schooling is right here on hand, and it would be nearly impossible to tote back and forth. Not to mention getting out early and driving out there every day. Mom is weary already, with everything that has gone on. She did tell him that she'd be perfectly willing to continue teaching the children here, where everything is readily available. John said that his Pastor has told him that it would be best to have the children taught at HIS house, and John said "I agreed to stick with his recommendation". Well, that's very nice - but wouldn't it have been more appropriate if the Pastor had involved EVERYONE in this discussion?? He's never spoken with us, never met us, had never met the children when he "counseled" John and April to go get them, doesn't know the history behind what has taken place...........has only heard one side of the story - and who KNOWS what they've told him.......When you're dealing with an issue that involves more than one person, it just seems logical to me that you'd involve all of them in what you perceive as the solution......

I hate all of this.

I wouldn't put much stock in a pastor who acts like that. In my opinion (which doesn't matter much) this is not an issue he should be involved in anyway. I could see him being involved with spiritual direction and prayer for your brother and sister-in-law, but gettting so involved in this is not something I would expect of any pastor worth his salt.

I certainly hope the attorney will have some good news for you on Wednesday. My fingers are crossed and I am praying with all my might!

{{HUGS}}

Savannah, I am so sorry that the children continue to have to suffer with all of this, and I say them because they need their schooling.

You might tell your brother he will need to go buy the books needed to homeschool (and I know these are expensive because I have a friend who homeschools) and April will need to learn how to teach the children herself. I wouldn't let them "have their cake and eat it too". They have turned everyone's lives upside down and haven't given any of you a second thought in all of this. If they want to be the parents in this situation, then THEY need to step up to the plate and do so. I know this hurts the children, but honestly, how much learning are they getting right now when their hearts are aching and broken?!? They probably haven't soaked any teaching up since they were taken from their home. I still say, give John and April the bills that you and your folks paid out the last 13 years, give them the medical bills that accumulated while Michael was in the hospital, let them buy them all new clothing, shoes, etc. They want to 'play' the parent part in this, then LET them be the parents thru and thru. When it all comes down to it, a good quick kick in the backside can wake you up to reality real quick!

I agree with your post 100% Rhonda. How are you and your mother doing Savannah? I can't stop thinking of you guys. My thoughts and prayers are still with you. (((hugs))):rainbowfaces:

Savannah, this situation makes us all feel gloomy , but we're here with you... we stand behind you 100% and I'm hoping the attorney can really help you guys on this.

I just can't believe what your sister in law is doing...

Savannah wrote:

I don't mean that to sound snooty. But homeschooling isn't for everyone. You have to be very consistent with it, and be sure that the children are getting a solid education. They're going to have to go the rest of their lives based on that. And a couple of papers off the internet each day just isn't going to cut it.[/color]

Absolutely with ya on that one, Savannah. If it works for some people, great, and I totally think it can....for some who are 100% commited, to the time, effort, and expense. There's no way your SIL fits that category. And the best place for those kids right now is in a school environment, with other children, different authority figures, and a productive place to get their minds off their troubles. This whole situation just makes me so sad. I'm continuing to pray for you all Savannah. Keep your faith.

Sorry I haven't posted in this thread to acknowledge the hurt you're going through Savannah, but it hits a little close to home, so I haven't said anything. Suffice it to say, I hope everything works out for you and those children, and your whole family as well.

We went over again today to see the children, and Caleb came running to me, jumped into my arms and asked me "Did you really get rid of my bed an' toys?".
I reassured him that I will never do that. My home will always be his, too. Poor little fella. Rachel told me (in quiet whispers) that her Mom and Dad yell at them a lot. And I saw some of that tonight. She said something, and her Dad misunderstood, and growled at her "What did you just say??" She was so frightened that she stammered "I - I - I don't remember". He jumped all over her, telling her that if she's going to say something, "have the guts to say it out loud. Don't mumble it, then lie and say you don't remember." How can he treat his own little girl like that?? He wasn't brought up like that. My parents were kind, loving people who sacrificed for us children. They didn't teach us to treat people - and especially children - in such a manner. What has happened to him??

Michael told me that they didn't do any school today........Michael......he has me so worried. He was like a zombie tonight. All three of the younger children were crying.

We meet with the lawyer at 9:00 in the morning. I've been told everything from "He'll tell you that there's nothing that can be done" all the way to "Those 'parents' don't stand a chance". I'm trying to prepare myself either way. One person, who needs some serious classes in tact, told me that I'll just have to grin and bear it somehow.

God can make a way, when there seems to be no way........

Good luck tomorrow Savannah. I pray you'll get some good news.

Cheryl